‘Rent’ Musical In Cuba: How Nederlander Brought The First Foreign Play In 50 Years [INTERVIEW]

Robert Nederlander, Jr. of Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment is the pioneer responsible for bringing performing arts to Cuba by presenting Broadway Ambassadors as part of the 14th Annual Havana Theatre Festival in 2011. Now, in partnership with the Cuban National Council of Performing Arts, the years of hard work have finally paid off. RENT is the first Broadway musical with a full all-Cuban cast, musicians and first-class production elements produced in the nation of Cuba in over 50 years. On December 24th, the Spanish language musical, directed by Cuban American Andy Señor, Jr., scheduled to open at Havana’s Bertolt Brecht Theatre for a three-month run.This new production of RENT is part of Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment’s ongoing mission to bring Broadway musical theatre to new and emerging markets around the globe. Mr. Nederlander commented, “After several years in the making, we’re thrilled to bring this authentic Broadway production to the people of Cuba and hope to continue working with the Cuban National Council of Performing Arts for years to come.”

Robert Nederlander, Jr. is a third generation member of the Nederlander family, one of the great dynasties of the American theatre. He is the founder and President of Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment, which manages theatres and presents Broadway productions in emerging international markets, as well as produces international productions for Broadway and elsewhere in the United States. Mr. Nederlander has been leading his company’s initiative to bring Broadway musicals to emerging international markets. This has included producing musicals like “42nd Street” in China and presenting Chinese productions in New York. He is a pioneer of sorts as an American business traveler to Cuba. “Rent” coincidentally opened just before the Obama administration’s relaxing of strict travel restrictions to the island. Latin Times spoke to Mr. Nederlander about his involvement with bringing the musical RENT to Cuba and how this negotiation happened.