Major hurricanes strike the Florida panhandle every three or so years, leaving devastation in their wake. The same can be said of the Cuban American family at the center of “El Huracán,” which opened Saturday at Cygnet Theatre in San Diego.
But like the tropical hurricanes, the disease that entraps Valeria’s mind and the tragic repercussions it has on her family will eventually return and forge a new path of destruction.The intermissionless 90-minute play is staged on a mostly bare stage beneath a chicken wire and fairy light-filled funnel cloud-style sculpture created by scenic designer Yi-Chien Lee and lighting designer Elba Emicente Sanchez. Sound designer Eliza Vedar creates the storm’s roar of wind and rain.
Ximena is worn down by grief, the responsibility of caring for her mother and a troubled relationship with her teen daughter Miranda, whose selfish behavior with neighborhood handyman Fernando leads to tragedy.