Manuel Mendoza’s abundance of talent and love for theater has left an indelible mark through his success as a playwright and director of theater productions and telenovelas, thanks to his innovative proposals and his ability to capture the essence of the human condition.
By Rossana Azuero
Manuel Mendoza’s greatest success was winning Best Theatrical Direction for the musical play “Visa for a Dream,” followed by many others, including Descarados, Gordura de mi vida, Ambas Tres, Esperanza Inútil, La Coleccionista, and The Vagina Monologues.
He is currently directing one of the most well-known plays in theater, “Taxi,” by British playwright Ray Cooney.
“Taxi is a wonderful comedy that has been around for many years. It’s a contemporary theater classic by this great writer, actor, director, and producer, who became very famous for his style of farcical comedies—funny and entertaining plays that leave audiences thoroughly enjoying themselves with lighthearted humor. And well, ‘Taxi’ is a comedy I like because today’s audiences are looking to unwind, laugh, and be entertained, and what better way than to offer them this comedy. The cast I’ve been directing feels like my group because we know each other and understand how to bring a character to life.”
Mijail Mulkay is a theater actor from the last decade who has appeared in over 20 films in Cuba and Colombia, as well as in many television series for digital platforms like Netflix, VIX, and Amazon. In this play, Mijail plays the mischievous Juan, the taxi driver who gives the play its title. Juan leads a double life, having two wives.
“I’ll tell you, Mijail is an actor I admire because he has an incredible career, and I’ve been wanting to work with him for a long time. This opportunity has finally come, and having him as the cornerstone of a cast with Daniela Bascopé, Roxana García, Beta Mejía, Saúl Mauricio Mendoza, and Karlos Anzalotta—and that such a talented guy is the protagonist—is like having an important pillar.”
The goal of an actor’s art is to move, touch, and connect with the audience—that’s a reality, and it’s the playwright who determines that in acting, it’s important to describe the structure and meaning of the situation on stage, which is what he conveys to them.
“I’m in a creative and evolving phase where I also want to work with my usual cast while mixing in new people, like Beta Mejía, who gave me the chance to bring in Colombian influencer Saúl Mauricio Mendoza, who is growing in other areas. He had never done theater before but had seen how fun it could be, and it was great to have him debut on stage with us. You really realize how much talent there is, and once you step on stage, it opens up new paths because theater gives you so much. As you know, the beauty of live performance is that if you didn’t do well in that moment, you have the chance to improve in the next show. For someone coming from the digital world, where you can record thirty times and edit, discovering this is amazing. I think the energy I have—and that I’m also projecting—is helping me build the team I want.”
Born in Venezuela, Mendoza has had the experience of working as a director with internationally renowned artists, including Adriana Barraza, María Conchita Alonso, Charytín, Adamari López, Giselle Blondet, Blanca Soto, and Sonya Smith.
“The truth is, I have a huge list—there’s also Julián Gil, Lucía Méndez, Raúl González, and Angélica Vale. For me, it’s been a journey of mutual growth with all of them, who also bring their own magic with their talent. When we come together to create, whether in television, film, or theater, I can only say that I’m extremely grateful. I want to keep learning, studying, working as a team, but most of all, I want to live, because as my great-grandmother used to say, you have to know how to live.”
The director also discusses the cuts to government budgets for cultural organizations.
“It’s worth noting that the latest budget cut that was going to happen in Miami-Dade County was stopped, and funding was almost fully restored—in fact, they gave a little more than originally planned. We were heard, and I believe that a fundamental part of a politician’s, public administrator’s, or public manager’s job is to listen to the community and understand it, as it works to boost the local economy. I think it was very positive, especially with all the people who came together in one of the virtual meetings with the mayor. Over seven hundred artists joined—imagine that—just to have the chance to be recognized and, above all, to present ourselves to these community leaders, whose job is to work alongside us. So, we should applaud this effort. That said, we also need to mention that state-level aid was cut and vetoed, and they’re making it harder for small local organizations to apply for funds. Over seven hundred organizations were left without the 2024-2025 subsidy from the State of Florida, thanks to Governor DeSantis.”
Manuel Mendoza, who reflects in his life that the audience should enjoy and ponder his works with feeling and emotion, just as he does, finally notes:
“You can’t miss the play ‘Taxi,’ as it delivers laughter with an incredible, spectacular, and multicultural cast at the iconic Tower Theater in Little Havana, Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 5:00 p.m., IN ITS FINAL WEEKS. We’ll be waiting for you.”
Photos: Credits Ruta Teatral Miami.
RossanaAzu@aol.com
