Broadway for Latinos
Broadway for Latinos
#1Broadway for Latinos
Posted: 5/19/16 at 12:43am
My mom and I enjoyed, "On Your Feet". My sister and mom enjoyed the revival of "Evita" (mom was too broke to see the original with Patti LuPone but played the cast recording all the time). I saw "The Capeman" to see Marc Anthony, Ruben Blades and Ednita Nazario and I regret missing "In The Heights" and the "West Side Story" revival.
The usual discussions is that the audience for Broadway shows is overwhelmingly white or that the barrier to attract Latino audiences is the cost of the ticket. In the perfect world, and in your opinion, what production would you bring to stage that would attract Latinos?
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KCW
Featured Actor Joined: 10/31/15
#2Broadway for Latinos
Posted: 5/19/16 at 7:16am
In the Heights. Hamilton could also work well. In the Heights did quite well with latinos, from what I remember. Additionally, On Your Feet has been doing well with that demographic.
I appoligise for any spelling mistakes. I may be on my mobile. Clumsy fingers and small little touchscreen keys don't mixx. I try to spellcheck, but I may miss something.
#3Broadway for Latinos
Posted: 5/19/16 at 8:07am
J Lo at the Palace for a month or so would sell out in a heartbeat.
I also think a jukebox musical about Celia Cruz would be a lot of fun.
nolanativeny
Stand-by Joined: 3/29/16
nolanativeny
Stand-by Joined: 3/29/16
#5Broadway for Latinos
Posted: 5/19/16 at 9:34am
I really should use google...so that already exists. But it should come back!
#6Broadway for Latinos
Posted: 5/20/16 at 2:09am
Melissa25 said: "J Lo at the Palace for a month or so would sell out in a heartbeat.
I also think a jukebox musical about Celia Cruz would be a lot of fun.
Hmmm I didn't think of a Celia Cruz musical! Shame! My mother is Cuban! I kept thinking Selena, since the demographic is younger.
#7Broadway for Latinos
Posted: 5/20/16 at 2:13am
nolanativeny said: "I really should use google...so that already exists. But it should come back!
LOL! I guess I should google, too! When I read on the Hamilton Cancellation Line board that Edward James Olmos was in attendance, it made me think of Selena and wonders what productions could be created to attract more Latinos to theater. I know El Repertorio Espanol has many plays, but thinking big productions.
Thank you for the responses so far.
#8Broadway for Latinos
Posted: 5/20/16 at 2:13am
nolanativeny said: "I really should use google...so that already exists. But it should come back!
LOL! I guess I should google, too! When I read on the Hamilton Cancellation Line board that Edward James Olmos was in attendance, it made me think of Selena and wonders what productions could be created to attract more Latinos to theater. I know El Repertorio Espanol has many plays, but thinking big productions.
Thank you for the responses so far.
Wilmingtom
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/11
#9Broadway for Latinos
Posted: 5/20/16 at 2:31am
Might Mother enjoy something that isn't Lationo-centric? Just as whites enjoy the plays of August Wilson, and blacks enjoy the musicals of Rodgers & Hammerstein? It's a shame that there aren't more shows specific to the Latino experience but every show speaks to the human experience.
samuellite34
Swing Joined: 5/6/09
#10Broadway for Latinos
Posted: 5/20/16 at 6:14pm
In the Heights and West Side Story did a pretty good job of introducing Latinos to Broadway and Latino audiences. However, it has more to do with one's socioeconomic status as to whether they go see Broadway shows or not. TKTS, Lottery and Standing Room tickets are helping a little bit in making it more accessible for those who can't afford regular priced tickets.
However, Lin-Manuel's success with Hamilton is helping to bring Latinos to the theatre. Him being in the spotlight has certainly got the attention of Latinos all over the country and even the world. I knew of Lin way back from In The Heights but my Latino friends and family members didn't really hear about him until Hamilton. Now, many of them have or want to come to Broadway just because of him.
Shows like On Your Feet also help out. A couple of my aunts and uncles have already mentioned that they want to see this show. Back home in Arizona and Texas, there are a lot of Latinos that see Broadway musicals when they come to town. Tickets are also a lot cheaper, not to mention the cost of flying to and staying in NYC.
As far as what type of shows would attract more Latinos, it's hard to say. Most of my Latino relatives are just like anyone else. They have seen or want to see shows like Lion King, Wicked, A Chorus Line, Cabaret, and Chicago. Shows like In The Heights, West Side Story, Evita, and On Your Feet, are just icing on the cake.
If they're going to make a musical about Latinos, it also has to attract their key audience which are White patrons...most of which are rich females. One of the biggest events in AZ is the Tucson International Mariachi Conference. People from all races, ages, genders, and socioeconomic status come to see this. So maybe a musical about Ranchera singers like Lola Beltran that dealt with love and triumph and centered around the music itself. Mariachi and Ranchera styles of music tend to attract a wide range of demographics.
I'll come up with a specific musical and share it later on.
#11Broadway for Latinos
Posted: 5/20/16 at 7:10pm
Oh yes, A story about Lola Beltran, even wondered if Jorge Negrete or Pedro Infante. Seems like all I can think of is "the story of..." Yes, Latinos who do theater enjoy all sorts of variety. Mami eats up anything Disney. Took her to Beauty & the Beast, Lion King, Mary Poppins and recently Aladdin which she loved. She loved Phantom and The King and I. I guess when it comes to my mom, I always wonder if she can keep up with the dialogue as English isn't her forte. I guess the sentiment is there. Like how I watch Bollywood movies and feel what is happening without the need for subtitles.
Thank you so much for your insight!
#12Broadway for Latinos
Posted: 5/20/16 at 7:30pm
Luis Valdez' Brechtian musical, ZOOT SUIT, ran for over a year in Los Angeles in the late 1970s, a very long run considering it hadn't yet played Broadway. Latinos and Anglos alike turned out in droves.
It had a very short run on Broadway however, because--IMO--they tried to market it as a traditional musical. It is not, at least not in the R&H sense. Characters do not sing their thoughts; the songs comment on the action. Of course we're used to that now, thanks to Sondheim and others, so maybe it's time for a revival.
It's a great play that tells a great, mostly historically accurate, story.
#13Broadway for Latinos
Posted: 5/21/16 at 2:49am
I also agree with the whole Lin-Manuel Miranda thing. He was on Univision! I think it's just a matter of showing that Broadway is a place worth going to (like the eminence it has with tourists). I don't know if a revival/revisal of Cole Porter's Mexican Hayride is going to make Latinos go to the theatre. It's a matter of appeal and awareness that it's something to see!
It's just a process, slowly but surely. But certainly a name like Jaime Camil (Jane the Virgin, La Fea Mas Bella) starring in CHICAGO would make many of us want to go see him.
#15Broadway for Latinos
Posted: 5/21/16 at 11:52am
mistermanifesto said: "It's just a process, slowly but surely. But certainly a name like Jaime Camil (Jane the Virgin, La Fea Mas Bella) starring in CHICAGO would make many of us want to go see him.
I think so...my sister excitedly texted me "Jaime Camil is starting in Chicago!" Sounded Latino, I didn't know who he was tho! Thank you google! The name is drawing attention.
#16Broadway for Latinos
Posted: 5/21/16 at 11:55am
CarlosAlberto said: "I would love to see Thalia do a Broadway show.
¡Ay Si! She would be great to watch! My days of keeping up with "Marimar"...I don't even like telenovelas but I would watch because of her.
#17Broadway for Latinos
Posted: 5/21/16 at 12:06pm
In the late 70's when "Grease" came out in theaters, Mami bought the soundtrack and she loved playing it. When John Secada starred in "Grease" on Broadway, I took mom to see him and she enjoyed his performance. I completely forgot he starred in "Cabaret". I missed him and Alan Cummings in it. Missed the show completely!
sabrelady
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/03
#18Broadway for Latinos
Posted: 5/21/16 at 1:19pm
Would "The Ritz" work? Or too stereotypical? I love Googie Gomez tho.
El Grande De Coca Cola? Again maybe too stereotyped?
sabrelady
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/03
#19Broadway for Latinos
Posted: 5/21/16 at 1:19pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBr2mR91RbQWould "The Ritz" work? Or too stereotypical? I love Googie Gomez tho.
El Grande De Coca Cola? Again maybe too stereotyped?
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#20Broadway for Latinos
Posted: 5/21/16 at 1:19pm
Windowcards and marquee were already up at the Broadway Theatre waiting for its Broadway arrival. After its disastrous reception in San Francisco, the plug was pulled and Broadway plans canceled.
sabrelady
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/03
#21Broadway for Latinos
Posted: 5/21/16 at 1:25pm
Kiss of the Spider Woman? Too Political? ( sexually & otherwise?)
#22Broadway for Latinos
Posted: 5/21/16 at 1:34pm
Oh dear! How depressing! and Esai Morales isn't bad! I can see him in "Hamilton" if he can rap!