Arturo Hilario El Observador The Berkeley Repertory Theatre is opening its 2026-2027 season with acclaimed Cuban playwright Eduardo Machado’s timely play, The Cook, from now until October 11, 2026. The story begins with an aristocratic family who flees Cuba at the start of Fidel Castro’s revolution, leaving their cook Gladys to watch over their mansion until the family returns. For forty years Gladys watches over the home, through her own struggles, sacrifice, and seeing the unraveling of a country’s dreams. As one of the family members finally returns, Gladys realizes she has sacrificed her life for a bond that no longer exists. The Cook is both funny and sad, dealing with questions of identity, history and alienation. Although fictional, it [...]
Q&A: Bringing to life a journey from Cuba and the complexity of humanity, alienation, and the meaning of national identity
