‘Latins on Ice’ takes comical look at life for Latino newcomers to Minnesota

The production of Latins on Ice took place on frozen Lake Nokomis a few weeks ago. It gives a comical real-life look at the issues and culture shock Latinos face when they move to Minnesota from areas that have large, warm and friendly Latino communities.

Imagine being Latino and moving to Minnesota from Miami, Los Angeles or Houston. The subzero temperatures; Minnesota Nice; the isolation.

These are some of the real-life issues tackled by the actors in the “Latins on Ice” production taking place Saturday and Sunday.

And as the name implies, the show takes place on frozen Lake Nokomis.

Sabrín Diehl moved to Minnesota from Miami to attend college where he graduated with a degree in theater. The idea for “Latins on Ice” surfaced during the summer of 2020, Diehl said.

As the pandemic had shut everything down, he was trying to figure out what to do. “I was kind of freaking out because all the theaters were closing. And I actually thought I had plans to move to Los Angeles because I was like, ‘I’m not going to be in this cold during a pandemic,’” Diehl said. While speaking with his mentor, Diehl asked about theater productions for the winter. He jokingly asked if they performed Shakespeare on ice.

That comment became the catalyst for “Latins on Ice.” The production, which runs about 45 minutes and is made up of a series of sketches, looks at issues that native Minnesotans may not see as problems for newcomers. And those […]

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