Journals from the Exile — Número Uno

Modesto Lacén Cepeda
A Witness's Account

Actor, dancer, choreographer and exiled Puerto Rican artiste, Modesto Lacén Cepeda,
visits Yagunzo Press Studios in New York City


(Photos by Otis J. Spears — Click on the images to magnify.)


Modesto Lacén Cepeda is a good friend, and a close collaborator. Always within reach, very generous with his time and so gracious with his talents, so many and so excellently exercised, he is the type of artiste that honestly loves to create, develop and share. I am a witness to that.

The preceding statement makes it very clear to all that this article is definitely biased... but I don't care. :-p

I detest talking about people (wink! You all know that's a lie, I’m a damn journalist!!!!!!), but I love to brag about my friends (buscando indulgencias con escapulario ajeno) and Modesto is a friend so worthy of bragging about, and I can say without a doubt that I know Modesto and Modesto knows me, we’re pals.

Hell, the man knows me so well…!

Needless to say: when in Maxdom, Modesto knows to fend for himself.

He strolls into my art studio with a bag of Chinese take-out, conscious of the permanently desolate state of my fridge. There is always the beers cousin Danny brings for the afternoon happy hour, perhaps a bottle of vodka a close associate keeps in the ice box for when he drops by, but never any nourishing fare, unless I decide to host and cook, which is a totally different story.

He is going thru this cleansing-type-thingy for a couple of weeks, and its only water, Chinese veggies and steamed rice. He has a meeting later at a fancy restaurant nearby, so he makes sure to eat first (we live in NYC, and in the modern Babylon there’s some logic to that, trust me).

I’ve been a witness to Modesto’s growth and development since the beginning of his acting career and always wanted to sit with him for a formal interview. His face in a series of local TV commercials, small stage productions and other artistic ventures (memories of Medea at El Morro anyone?) profiled a talent worth keeping under the cultural and artistic radar. At first glance we discovered an actor capable of versatility, freshness and control, assuming with ease a multiplicity of types, always convincingly.

No critical criteria considered, I’m just an innocent bystander, an eyewitness.

His consistency for dramatic excellence never surprises, yet always pleases. Brings to mind a young and vibrant Juano Hernández, one of our first Hollywood stars and a performer of undeniable talent, iconic presence and colossal importance, just reminiscence his turn as Lucas Beauchamp in the 1949 classic Intruder in the Dust.

As soon as Modesto assumes his stage persona we are guaranteed a complete being, body, gestures, feelings, soul, wholesome acting, memorable and lasting.

In the star studded musical El Bombón de Elena, he took a second tier character and delivered a powerful and solid performance, visibly shadowing the main players.

He commanded praise for his performance in Celia: El musical, were his character, a widowed and withering Pedro Knight, ponders about his lifelong relationship and intimate musical collaboration with the famed Queen of Salsa.

Most recently in Salsa Gorda, a play by Puerto Rican writer José Luis Ramos Escobar, he took his character (a salsa-loving photographer who dies prematurely of AIDS) and his performing genius to new heights. Wowing all with his dance moves and with his convincing, moving and felt performance.

Forced out of Puerto Rico in search of professional opportunities, Modesto views his residence in the City as a chance to explore new and diverse artistic options. He assumes the urban metal playground of New York, New York with enthusiasm, his drive intact he still strikes for excellence, keeping in sight the big prize while allowing for growth, but totally conscious of his place and time, as well as the importance of his contribution.

—Working a whole year in a play, with all the benefits and perks, is something unheard-of back in the island (Puerto Rico), — states Modesto boldly while saddened by the state of affairs in his native town of Loiza, a place literally at war with itself due to its high crime rate, violent street gangs and severe drug problem. Modesto is willing to go back and help, given the proper support and resources, and envisions himself in such a position in the future.

He confesses to a rearing of privilege. Hard working, dedicated and responsible parents, with what I dare calling a healthy sense of dignity and prosperity, they insisted in the fact that education is the key, and hard work is the tool. He was blessed, given that treasure, and he was very lucky, as he was allowed to choose his route.

His early incursions into serious acting and his mixing with the local crowd “farandulero”, the local art scene, of course awakened a bit of resistance from his family at first, given the obvious negative preconceptions: work instability and economical hardships, mainly.

His increasing list of successes and the ensuing recognition took care of the parental concerns long ago. His participation in important theater, film and commercial endeavors, ample proof of his scope and reach. Now his folks are his biggest fans and we are lucky he didn’t followed the medical technology field and family business his folks had planned for him.

Modesto keeps busy, a list of standing and future projects fills his agenda. From the workshops by the Shakespeare in the park theater to Pregones Theater, his ongoing gig with Repertorio Español in "Pantaleón y las Visitadoras," an upcoming screening of a movie in which he plays the lead, "La familia del camello," as part of the Borimix Film Festival 2009, Modesto does not complain at all. He does dream of a return to Loíza, free from the hustle and tussle of acting, just to relax and definitely to help, not an empty promise, I'm willing to bet on it.

For now he duels in the City, he learns, works and grows, as he should, mom and pop taught him well. He stays faithful to his goals and his duty, always the sole owner of his pride, while a master of his trade, entitled to his accomplishments and deserving of his noticeable joy. I’m a witness to that.