Celia: The Life and Music of Celia Cruz, the Off Broadway musical celebrating the legendary "Queen of Salsa" currently playing at New World Stages celebrated its 200th performance last night on Tuesday, February 19. It was a momentous event in and of itself, but made even more special as it was the day that Fidel Castro resigned as the leader of Cuba!
The new musical which features performances in both English
and Spanish has attracted an exuberant, eclectic and bountiful audience of East
Coasters (which certainly befits a show about a New York icon). Fast becoming a "crossover" sensation and one
of the undisputed theatrical successes of the season, Celia has also added another English-language performance on
Tuesday evenings at 8PM.
Celia tells the
story of one of music's most legendary artists and Hispanic culture's most
notable of ambassadors. The musical is
written by Carmen Rivera and Candido Tirado, directed by Jaime Azpilicueta,
with choreography by Maria Torres and musical direction by Isidro Infante.
The cast features Pedro Capó, Sunilda Caraballo, Grizel
"Chachi" Del Valle, Anissa Gathers, Xiomara Laugart, Modesto Lacén, Selenis
Leyva, Sekou McMiller, Wilson Mendieta and Elvis Nolasco.
The production team is comprised of Narelle Sissons (Scenic
Design), Sarah Sidman (Lighting Design), Haydee Morales (Costume Design), Jan
Hartley (Projection Design), Bernard Fox (Sound Design) and Ruth Sanchez (Hair
& Makeup Design).
The performance schedule is as follows: Tuesday* – Friday at 8PM; Saturday at 5PM* & 9PM; Sunday at 3PM & 7PM*
*English language performances (all other performances are
in Spanish)
Tickets ($67.05 - $87.05) are available through
Telecharge.com or (212) 239-6200/6240
(Spanish). New World Stages is located
at 340 West 50th Street
between 8th and 9th Ave.
Selenis Leyva and Xiomara Laugart (in orange) portray Celia in the show
l-r: Pedro Capo, Selenis Leyva, Modesto Lacen and Xiomara Laugart
l-r: Isidro Infante (Musical Director), Anissa Gathers, Sekou McMiller, Maria Torres (Choreographer/Production Supervisor), Grizel 'Chachi' Gathers
The cast and crew of Celia
