Pánfilo, that Cuban comedian Obama joked with in Havana, pays a visit to Washington
Pánfilo, that Cuban comedian Obama joked with in Havana, pays a visit to Washington
By David Montgomery
May 1
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Cuban comedian Luis Silva performs in the guise of his character Pánfilo at the Cuban Embassy in Washington. (David Montgomery/The Washington Post)
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About two weeks before President Obama made his historic trip to Havana in March, one of Cuba’s most popular comedians received a phone call from the U.S. Embassy.
“I thought there must be a problem with my visa!” recalls Luis Silva, also known as Pánfilo, the name of his famous comedic character, a prickly but good-hearted retiree who jokes about the struggles of daily life.
The real reason for the call was to see if Silva was interested in doing some comedy during Obama’s visit. Silva assumed U.S. officials had in mind a performance for the dignitaries. But no. The pitch was: How would Silva like to collaborate on a sketch that would feature Pánfilo and Obama?
. . .
“I was astonished,” says Silva, 37, a writer and star of the weekly situation comedy show “Vivir del Cuento” — roughly, “Surviving by Your Wits” — that features Pánfilo and is watched by an estimated two-thirds of Cubans on Cuban television.
More:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/05/01/panfilo-that-cuban-comedian-obama-joked-with-in-havana-pays-a-visit-to-washington/
LA forum:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/110849941