Ray Cruz Awarded Best Actor in Mexico

February 1, 2024

Cuban actor Ray Cruz ("El derecho de soñar", "Al habla con los muertos") won the Best Actor award at the sixth edition of the Casa Tanicho International Monologue Festival in Mexico, thanks to his brilliant performance of "Fátima y el Parque de la Fraternidad".

"Wow! What a performance! You left us all amazed!", they said during the awards ceremony. Ray returned to Cuba shortly after presenting his "Fátima" last Friday, January 19, at Casa Tanicho, Mérida, which is why he couldn't be at the gala to receive his award in person.

"He is watching us from Havana, but he can't connect by phone right now. A big round of applause that reaches all of Cuba! Ray Cruz, Best Actor of the Casa Tanicho International Monologue Festival!", they announced at the gala.

This is a major achievement for Cruz's acting career, who shone in Mexico among proposals from throughout Ibero-America and has been captivating Havana audiences for months with his monologue, based on the homonymous story by National Literature Prize winner Miguel Barnet.

The work is directed by Claudia Zaldívar and Ray Cruz himself, and will return to the Bertolt Brecht Cultural Center in Havana next April. The plot narrates the reality, aspirations, and love conflicts of a young drag performer in the harsh world of Havana prostitution.

"Congratulations, dear Ray"; "The one who deserves doesn't ask, and you are talent personified"; "Bravo, Fátima!"; "Congratulations, the work is excellent and your performance even more so"; "You are a great actor, one of the best, well-deserved award. Enjoy it in good health", were some of the comments he received on social media.