Photo Flash: First Look at Tito Nieves and More in New Musical I LIKE IT LIKE THAT

From the Producers of ¿Quién Máto a Héctor Lavoe?, Celia, and La Barbería comes the World Premiere of a brand new musical, I Like It Like That - A Musical for the 2016-2017 season at The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre (304 W. 47 Street), celebrates its opening tonight, September 22, 2016. The musical is written by David Maldonado & Waddys Jáquez and directed by Waddys Jáquez. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

I Like It Like That is the story of the Rodríguez family living in New York City's East Harlem in the early 1970s, when music was the proudest expression of "El Barrio". The production takes the audience on a historical musical journey amidst neighborhood volatility and social activism. Its residents deal with the ever-present pull between Escape and Social Conscience.

The musical stars multi-GRAMMY award nominated Latin music superstar, Tito Nieves as Roberto Rodríguez, the patriarch of the Rodríguez family, who navigate through the challenges they face living in the heart of a volatile environment. Instilled in them is the importance of family and the desire to succeed.

Co-written by theater, film & Latin Music industry veteran, David Maldonado, I Like It Like That will bring its audience back to an era when New York City was on the verge of financial collapse. Where music kept El Barrio's soul afloat and became the religion of the masses. When Salsa singers and bands of the time became the community's heroes and idols.

Under Desmar Guevara's musical supervision I Like It Like That features classics from era legends: Ruben Blades, Hector Casanova, Willie Colón, Pete El Conde, Joe Cuba, El Gran Combo, Hector Lavoe, La Lupe, Ismael Miranda, Johnny Pacheco, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz, Mon Rivera, Ismael Rivera, and Pete Rodríguez, and original songs by Bobby Allende, Pablo Garcia, Desmar Guevara, Waddys Jáquez, David Maldonado, Adan Perez, Victoria Sanabria and Michael Sotille.

A stellar cast features Rossmery Almonte (Tita), Caridad De La Luz (China), Chachi Del Valle (María Luisa, Babilonia and La Lupe), Shadia Fairuz (Carmen), Quique González (Carlos), Ana Isabelle(Paula), Sofia Klimovsky (Understudy/Ensemble), Angel López (Rafa), Tito Nieves (Roberto), Yesenia Santiago (Understudy/Ensemble), and Gilbert Velázquez (Juan). The band includes Bobby Allende (Percussion), Anthony Carrillo (Percussion), Jorge Castro (Saxophone), Guido Gonzalez (Trumpet), Desmar Guevara (Musical Director/Keyboards), Jerry Madera (Bass), Hommy Ramos(Trombone).

I Like It Like That's creative team includes Raul Abrego (Scenic Designer), Lucrecia Briceño & Benjamin Swope (Lighting), Julian Evans (Sound), Rocco DiSanti (Projection), Hochi Asiatico (Costume), Charles Bowden (Props), Rosalba Rolón (Dramatist), Jonathan Maldonado, Grisel Del Valle (Associates Choreographers). Written by David Maldonado & Waddys Jáquez. Directed by Waddys Jáquez,Musical Direction by Desmar Guevara.

Photo Credit: Marisol Diaz

The cast of I LIKE IT LIKE THAT

The cast of I LIKE IT LIKE THAT

The cast of I LIKE IT LIKE THAT

The cast of I LIKE IT LIKE THAT

Chachi Del Valle, Rossmery Almonte, Shadia Fairuz and Ana Isabelle

Gilbert Velazquez and Chachi Del Valle

Shadia Fairuz, Ana Isabelle and Tito Nieves

Shadia Fairuz, Tito Nieves, Angel Lopez and Rossmery Almonte

Sofia Klimovsky, Caridad De La Luz, Quique Gonzalez, Ana Isabelle, Gilbert Velazquez and Yesenia Santiago