The halls of
the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural Center are
alive with the
sound of music as salsa, cumbia,
merengue and Caribbean rhythms drift out of the
center's La Tea Theatre and entice audiences to
dance.
"Every
time we hear a beating drum, the rhythm goes to
our feet and moves through the body,"
explains Frank Rodriguez, the host of the
energetic musical revue Tropical!
"It's almost impossible to sit still--the
rhythm traps you!" Willingly held captive,
the audience of Tropical! discovers two hours of
song and dance, comedy, showgirls, puppetry, and
the fascinating rhythms of Latin music.
Producer/director
Manuel A. Morán has gathered together a lively
group of singers, dancers, and musicians to
create this entertaining evening. Demonstrating
that Latin music did not begin with Ricky
Martin's "Living La Vida Loca,"
Tropical! traces the vivacious music from the
jungles of Africa to the streets of Miami and
New York's Lower East Side. "A beautiful
rainbow of people created this music!"
boasts Rodriguez.
Written by Morán
and Radamés Gavé, the revue's humor is
provided by Rodriguez, who charmingly plays host
as a hybrid of Jay Leno, Ricky Ricardos, and
Family Feud's Richard Dawson. Between songs, his
master of ceremonies interviews two special
guests, and challenges audience members to a
Name That Tune-style game show. The special
"guests" include singer Celia Cruz and
the mayor of Santa Domingo, who are represented
by José López's wonderfully realistic puppets.
Unfortunately
for non-Spanish speakers, the interviews, game
show, and much of the evening's dialogue are
performed en Español. The script is lost to
people whose knowledge of the language is
limited to "gracias" and "por
favor". The show's promotional material
promises that Tropical! will be "performed
in Spanish and English simultaneously."
Closer attention to this promise will make the
dazzling Tropical! more accessible to
English-speaking audiences.
Listed in the
program simply as "singer," Ana Campos
Stephens takes center stage to perform most of
the evening's spicy musical numbers. Capturing
the exuberance of Charo, and the sexuality of
Jennifer Lopez, Stephens radiates with charm. On
Jordi Garcia's vibrant set, Stephens is joined
by a foursome of skilled dancers and singers:
Antonio Saldanas, Siliva Sierra, Monica Oritz,
and choreographer
Jade
Esteban Estrada.
The show's
greatest strength is the enthusiasm of these
entertainers, who beautifully perform
Estrada's
demanding routines with dazzling smiles not seen
in a musical variety show since Donny &
Marie. Throughout the evening, the colorfully
costumed performers are backed up by a band of
accomplished musicians, lead by musical director
Jerome Van Rossum.
Musically,
Tropical! is scintillating, and easily satiates
anyone with a hunger for songs with a
distinctive Latin flavor. Sampling the
"greatest hits" of salsa, cumbia and
merengue, it is an exciting adventure for
theatergoers whose first taste of Latin music
was Madonna's "La Isla Bonita" or the
Miami Sound Machine's "Conga." For
others, Tropical! is a joyous celebration of
Latino culture and its music.
Tropical!
appeals to children and adults alike. The
evening I saw this delightful show, one young
audience member was refreshingly eager to sing
along to a merengue as if it was the latest hit
from 'N Sync or Christina Aguilera. Morán and
company should be applauded for capturing the
Latin musical experience with such gusto. Salud!
Tropical! is
one highlight of Latinoteatro 2000, a bilingual
festival of music, comedies, dramas and programs
for young adults. Offering a variety of
entertainment, Latinoteatro 2000 features seven
productions from five of New York's most
innovative Latin American theatrical companies:
Teatro La Tea, SEA (The Society of the
Educational Arts), Teatro IATI, L.E.F.T (The
Latino Experimental Fantastic Theater), and the
Obie Award-winning Teatro Círculo. The festival
runs through June 18.
©2000 TheatreMania.com
