In the history of Broadway and Tony awards, it has never been a better time for Latino artists; a more than welcome to light (or shadow?) of the recent spread of anti-immigrant sentiment promoted by a controversial presidential candidate data. “ Immigrants, we get the job done ” sing the main actors of “Hamilton”, designed by the Puerto Rican Lin-Manuel Miranda promises to be at least four of 16 nominations for the Tony Awards at its next emission. Best musical, best script, best music composition, best leading and best director actor, just to mention some of the categories, while seven of the 14 nominations Tony intended for theatrical actors are artists of “Hamilton”.
the work of Miranda, a real bomb that emphasizes the inescapable fact that many of the heroes of the American revolution were migrants, is not the only Latin creation that has hogging the limelight Broadway in recent times. “ On Your Feet!” , the autobiographical musical Gloria and Emilio Estefan, was the most successful plays of the season.
those who breached
the cultural diversity of Broadway seems to bring a significant advantage to Hollywood, whose response to #OscarsSoWhite demand, yet to express themselves on the big screen. That said, it is also true that it has not always been the case. Latino artists who today enjoy unprecedented visibility, standing on the shoulders of true pioneers, of people who managed to breach a time that although stories presented about Latinos ( “West Side Story”), works created by Latinos were entirely absent from the Broadway stage.
as a celebration and tribute we make a brief tour of some of the tracks left by Latino artists who have graced the Broadway stage throughout history.
One of the most prominent Latino pioneers of Broadway, the Puerto Rican Chita Rivera debuted on the Broadway stage in 1952 as a chorus girl in “Call me Madam”. In this performance they were followed by roles in “Guys and Dolls,” “Can-Can” and “Seventh Heaven”. For her role as Anita in the musical staging “West Side Story” in 1957, he managed to position itself as one of the most sought after actresses of the medium. His first nomination for the Tony Awards, however, was for her role in “Bye Bye Birdie”. He went on to receive eight nominations and won five Tony Awards for, among other works, “The Rink” and “Kiss of the Spider Woman”.
Widely known for her role as Anita in the film version of “West Side Story” (and for which he won an Oscar), the Puerto Rican legend Rita Moreno has enjoyed a long successful career in the Broadway stage. His role as Googie Gomez in the play “The Ritz” (for which won the Tony for Best Actress in 1975) was taken later to the big screen, where he returned to star the same character. Among his best known works are “Last of the Red Hot Lovers”, “Gantry” and the female version of “The Odd Couple”. In 2011, he presented his own autobiographical work “ Life Without Makeup”.
the Cuban Desi Arnaz , known worldwide for his role as Ricky in the series of the fifties “I Love Lucy” next to his also wife Lucille Ball, debuted on Broadway as Manuelito, in the musical comedy “too Many Girls” (1939).
the number of stagings in which participated the Puerto Rican sensuous Raul Julia , is almost uncountable. In addition to having acted in countless films, Broadway was like a second home for the actor, where he presented “Man of La Mancha” (1992), “Arms and the Man” (1985), “Design For Living” (1984) “Nine” (1982), “Betrayal” (1980), “Dracula” (1978), “The Cherry Orchard” (1977), “Threepenny Opera” (1976), “Where’s Charley?” (1974), “Via Galactica” (1972), “Two Gentlemen of Verona” (1971), “The Castro Complex” (1970), “Indians” (1969) and “The Cuban Thing” (1968). Despite four nominations for the Tony Awards, the virtuoso actor never had the pleasure. At least in life.
Anthony Quinn , another great Mexican actor on the big screen, enjoyed several successes in Broadway, among which are” Zorba “(1983),” Tchin- Tchin “(1962),” Becket “(1960),” Borned in Texas “(1950),” A Streetcar Named Desire “(1950 and 1947) and” The Gentleman From Athens “(1947). Like Raul Julia, for her performances Quinn received only one nomination for a Tony Award as Best Actor for his role in “Becket”.
Rain Latin stars
Better known as “ Mister Rourke, your host ” Ricardo Montalban , of Mexican origin, had a brief and little known way through the Broadway stage, where he participated in three stagings: “Don Juan in Hell” (1973), “Jamaica” (1957) and “Seventh Heaven” (1955). Despite the brevity of his theatrical career, won a Tony Award for best actor in “Jamaica”.
the Colombian famous John Leguizamo has appeared on the Broadway stage with one-person shows “ Freak “ (1998), which was his debut, and” Ghetto Known ( 2011) . these successes followed him “Sexaholix” (2001 and 2003), “American Buffalo” (2008) and “Ghetto Klown” (2011). By “Freak,” Leguizamo received two nominations for the Tony Awards.
few know that five-time nominee Actor Danny Burstein is from Costa Rica. Among the 15 works that has participated in the Broadway stage, include “Cabaret” (2014), “Golden Boy” (2013) “Follies” (2012), “Rodgers & amp; Hammerstein’s South Pacific “(2008) and” The Drowsy Chaperone “(2006).
Although the work as such did not enjoy the applause of the critics, the 2012 version of the play” Evita “was bedecked with presence of Ricky Martin in the role of Che. There was, however, if first foray into the Broadway stage. in 1996, the Puerto Rican played the role of Marius in “Les Miserables”.
the Colombian Sofia Vergara debuted on Broadway with the musical “Chicago” in 2009, in the role of Mama Morton.
Antonio flags performed the role of Guido Contini in the musical “Nine” (2003), for which he was nominated for a Tony Award as best Actor.
veteran Olga Merediz has been part of the cast of works such as “ Les Miserables”, “ Man of La Mancha”, “ Reckless” and “ Mamma Mia!” , but has stated that his favorite work was “in the Heights ” another great success of Lin-Manuel Miranda, a work in which she plays the role of Abuela Claudia, and for which he received a nomination for the Tony Awards.
Mexican Sara Ramirez debuted in 1998 with the musical “The Capeman” to continue his series of successes in “The Gershwins”, “Fascinating Rhythm” (1999) and “A Class Act” (2001). He was awarded a Tony Award as best supporting actress for her role in “Spamalot” (2005).
While because of their much celebrated role as Emilio Estefan in “On Your Feet!” Josh Segarra seems to have fallen from heaven, the actor is not a novice in the middle. Puerto Rican raised in Florida has appeared in “Dogfight” (2012) in the character of Boland and as Mick on “Lysistrata Jones” (2011), along with a battery of roles in television and film.
One of the most interesting discoveries of recent times actorales has been Ana Villafane , whose role as Gloria Estefan in “on Your Feet!” marks his debut on Broadway. Dancer Cuban-Salvadoran origin, however, already had shown his talent as an actress in the film “ Magic City Memoirs ” and “The Americans” Dennis Leoni.
Nominated for best choreographer for “on Your Feet!” in the next edition of the Tony Awards, Puerto Rico Segrio Trujillo has a long portfolio of successes. In 2011, four of his plays were staged simultaneously, all nominated and awarded by various guilds: “ Memphis” , “ Jersey Boys” , “ the Addams Family “ and” Next to Normal “(for which also won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize). In 2015, he was awarded the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Choreographer.
The first Mexican actress to get a leading role in a Broadway play, Bianca Marroquin , acted in the role of Roxie Hart in the musical “Chicago” for over 10 years.
Nick Cordero , meanwhile, was nominated for the Tony Award 2014 as best actor for his debut as Cheech in “Bullets Over Broadway”. Also participated in the play “Rock of Ages” (2012) in the role of Dennis.
The Spanish Mark Consolations surprised critics with her debut on Broadway with “ Standing on Ceremony:. The Gay Marriage Plays “in 2011
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