Casita Linda to present Broadway extravaganza
By Mark Bilker

Colin Cunliffe (right)

Casita Linda, the San Miguel nonprofit organization that builds adobe brick homes for the least advantaged families in San Miguel de Allende and surrounding areas in the state of Guanajuato, presents its first annual Broadway Loves Casita Linda musical extravaganza.

Conceived and produced by Broadway theater musical performer Colin Cunliffe, the production features song and dance numbers by Broadway performers who have donated their time and talent to the event and are coming to San Miguel for the exclusive purpose of furthering the good works of Casita Linda.

Cunliffe was introduced to Casita Linda by his father, Charles, a member of the Casita Linda Board of Directors and head of its construction program. Having worked on an actual Casita Linda building project during his visit to San Miguel in 2008, Colin determined to find a way to utilize his theatrical talent and connections to assist the organization.

In addition to Cunliffe, the visiting troop includes Ben Cameron and Kisha Howard. Between Cunliffe, Cameron and Howard, Broadway credits include major productions such as “Cry Baby,” “Wicked” (original cast), “Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida,” “Footloose” (original cast), “High Society,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” and “Sweet Charity.” The trio has also enjoyed roles in the national touring companies of “Sweet Charity,” “Fame,” “State Fair,” “Tommy,” “The Boyfriend” and “Cats.”

Jean Gerber, Executive Director of Casita Linda, in announcing the performance schedule, talked about the excitement that the event has generated: “If someone had told me six months ago that we would have actual working Broadway performers come to San Miguel and volunteer to do a benefit show for Casita Linda, I would have said, ‘Yeah, right!’ But here we are, with the headline of Broadway Loves Casita Linda, thanks to the dedication, talent and charisma of Colin Cunliffe.

“We are looking forward to bringing this quality performance to the people of San Miguel who have been so incredibly supportive of Casita Linda over the past few years. Our only wish is to be able to continue our mission of building homes for our neighbors living in extreme poverty. We have witnessed how these safe, comfortable little casitas have dramatically changed the lives of the recipients, and, as Colin will attest, have affected the lives of the volunteers who make it happen,” Gerber says.

Casita Linda, which means “pretty little house,” does more than just build homes; it strives through its volunteers, contributors and the recipient families to help create a more dignified, safe and empowering environment “to alter the destiny of poverty,” as its mission statement says. For more information about the organization, visit www.casitalinda.org. 

Broadway Loves Casita Linda appears in the Teatro Ángela Peralta August 19 and 20. Tickets for the performances, priced at 350, 150 and 100 pesos, go on sale shortly at the Ángela Peralta box office and at La Conexión, Aldama 3.