José Julián Martí Pérez was a 19th century Cuban nationalist, poet, philosopher, essayist, journalist, translator, professor, and publisher, who is considered a Cuban national hero because of his role in the liberation of his country from Spain. While claimed by both the Left and the Right, his story instead as a full human being, and not a saint or a martyr, is told in the play Hierro (Iron), by well-known Cuban-Spanish playwright Carlos Celdrán. It has its U.S. premiere at the Miami-Dace County Auditorium (MDCA) from July 27 through August 6, presented as a partnership with South Florida’s own Arca Images and MDCA, in the original Spanish, with simultaneous English translation. 

Hierro is a thorough reinterpretation that brings Martí back – as a man, husband, lover. It returns to the beginning of Martí’s story, including the hard, harrowing years of his exile in New York City, far from his beloved Cuba. This was a time full of anguish, illness, resistance, love, loyalties, and betrayals that are rarely discussed in official narratives. The play subverts and dismantles the politics around Martí’s history to showcase the intimate, private, and unexpected parts of his story. The Miami production will be directed by Celdrán himself. 

The play has only been performed live in Havana, Cuba. “Martí is a near mythological figure for Latin Americans, and we are excited to bring Carlos’ eloquent re-examination of his life to Miami audiences,” said Alexa Kuve, Founding Executive and Producing Artistic Director of Arca Images.