A magical night with the creative team of “Waiting for Snow in Havana,” a musical in development that I am working on as co-lyricist. We shared demos of several songs, talked about the creative process, and next steps as we continue development. The musical is an adaptation of Carlos Eire’s memoir (by the same name) about his childhood in Cuba and separation from his parents through Operation Pedro Pan, a clandestine exodus of over 14,000 unaccompanied Cuban minors to the United States from 1960 to 1962. A tragic yet triumphant story about family, love, and the meaning of home.

Here’s the link to the demo song “Don’t Let Go,” sung by the main character, Carlos, to his 11-year-old self. In the song, he urges his younger self to hold on to his childhood innocence—soon to be lost when he must leave Cuba without his parents.