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Home » Blogs » globalgrrl's blog » ¡Azucar! "Celia: A Musical Journey" to open off-Broadway

¡Azucar! "Celia: A Musical Journey" to open off-Broadway

by
globalgrrl

There is no way to reference Celia Cruz without superlatives; la Reina de la Salsa — the Queen of Salsa — was incredibly, indisputably larger than life.

Now that life, including a fifty-year career that spanned days of winning cakes in Havana radio contests to days of winning lifetime achievement awards, is the subject of an off-Broadway production. Celia: A Musical Journey opens at New World Stages in New York City on Sept. 12. The show is directed by Jaime Azpilicueta and stars another Cuban singer, Xiomara Laugart, formerly of New York–based Latin funk band Yerba Buena.

Laugart is known in Cuba as La Negra, describes Yerba Buena's music as "a big carnival," and paid tribute to la reina in songs like "Guajira." In this newest tribute, she will likely sing some of Cruz's megahits — "La Negra Tiene Tumbao" and "La Vida Es un Carnaval" among the many — and utter the legendary cry of "¡azucar!" countless times. Considering Cruz's penchant for outrageous dresses and wigs, Laugart is also bound to have quite the dressing room.

Since I was one of the many fans hesitant at the idea of Whoopi Goldberg portraying Cruz in a Hollywood biopic, why am I so excited (truly, ridiculously excited) about this off-Broadway production?

I adore Cruz (just to clarify), so I want to see her honored well. A play will have time to find its feet before making a move to Broadway and then to Hollywood, rather than starting in the land where money would take precedence over a genuine desire to honor her life. In 2005, Blogdecine.com even reported that the Goldberg production didn't go forward because Cruz was "too normal" for studio execs (site is in Spanish). Apparently the fact that she was happily married for decades and didn't have a closet full of abused, drug-using skeletons overwhelms her international stardom and her pioneering role in Afro-Cuban music and culture, but whatever.

I'm thrilled about this particular production because Laugart is a superb singer in her own right, but she's real about it: "What we are doing is recounting her life in the most respectful way," she says. "I am not Celia. I don't sing like Celia."

When it comes down to it, who does?


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    • Submitted by
    globalgrrl
    on August 14, 2007 - 2:21pm.
    TAGS :: 
    TSu's picture

    You are so right! Nobody Sings Like Celia

    Submitted by
    TSu (5 posts)
    on August 14, 2007 - 3:57pm.
    I can't wait to see this musical. And, I love that Xiomara understands the purpose of the show: to honor Celia's life. The casting people behind these project are totally fabulous as well...Orpheus Casting.
    KineticStillness's picture

    I know the blog is only

    Submitted by
    KineticStillness (164 posts)
    on August 14, 2007 - 6:16pm.

    I know the blog is only supposed to be 'lesbian-ish' but how does this one fit even that definition? 

    I was just wondering because, after all the gay male ads we've had over the last few weeks, I'd hate to see this site become less focused on lesbians or 'lesbian-ish' things.  I read the article waiting for it to mention her bisexuality or anything even remotely lesbian and, as far as I can tell, there's nothing to make this even 'lesbian-ish' unless I'm totally missing something. 

    It's just that there are so many sites out there to get every other perspective and interest delved into that I liked that this site was narrowly focused on lesbians and bisexual women.  That seems to be changing, slowly, since the Logo deal. 

    jennifer from pittsburgh's picture

    Lesbian-ish

    Submitted by
    jennifer from p... (1476 posts)
    on August 14, 2007 - 8:33pm.
    Eep. Well, the blog is also about women in general, gay, straight, bi, or otherwise. I mean, I've blogged about straight women, and I think every blogger on here would say the say the same thing. I for one am glad that this isn't a necessaily narrow-focused site because I wanna hear what Streep and Blanchet are up to. Among countless others...
    globalgrrl's picture

    Yup, women of all stripes

    Submitted by
    globalgrrl (80 posts)
    on August 15, 2007 - 7:55am.
    Thanks for clarifying that. The main site (with the daily articles, recaps, Best. Lesbian. Week. Ever., &c) retains a focus on lesbian and bisexual women, but the blog covers all women -- straight, gay, or just plain amazing, as in the case of Cruz. I hope this eases your frustration, Kinetic!
    G's picture

    Azucar

    Submitted by
    G (70 posts)
    on August 14, 2007 - 8:52pm.

    LOVE LOVE LOVE Celia Cruz! I cried the day she passed and went to place flowers on her star in Hollywood. Let's see if they are able to represent La Reina in the proper way.

    [Admin edit: Please do not use long, attached words in your subject, it messes up the main page formatting.  Thanks.]
    Queen Bea's picture

    This is probably more appropriate for the avatar thread...

    Submitted by
    Queen Bea (126 posts)
    on August 14, 2007 - 9:00pm.

    ...but I love the pug on yours. The batman costume is priceless! I used to have a pug, but she hated wearing anything but a collar. Costumes were out of the question for her.

    Also, I totally agree about Celia Cruz. Loved that rich, deep voice of hers. Made me wish I could do some kind of Latin dancing.

    G's picture

    Thanks...

    Submitted by
    G (70 posts)
    on August 15, 2007 - 6:32pm.
    I actually got this pic online. My pug looks at me like I'm crazy when I try to get him into a costume. :-) Right now he is asleep in his "sleepy spot" right under my desk.
    Luckycharm808's picture

    I agree

    Submitted by
    Luckycharm808 (141 posts)
    on August 14, 2007 - 10:35pm.
    Celia Cruz is a amazing singer. She makes my dancing look good, lol! I love listening to her and she is in my ipod. Thats totally awesome, thanks for sharing!
    Anonymous's picture

    Azucar

    Submitted by
    Anonymous
    on August 15, 2007 - 7:35am.

    Celia was and forever be the queen of salsa!

    I grew up listening to her music her voice was simply the best. I can't wait to see this show.

    bluebuddha's picture

    Azucar Indeed!

    Submitted by
    bluebuddha (35 posts)
    on August 17, 2007 - 4:59am.

    I loved Celia too. I attended her funeral in Miami, just to pay my respects to La Regina. I hope this off-broadway production honors her life and music. Words can't describe how important she is to Salsa, Cuban music, and Hispanics, particular Cubans. I'm glad the Whoopi bio-pic fell through, although I also love Whoopi I just couldn't see her playing Celia.

    I can't believe the Hollywood executives thought Celia's life didn't have enough drama. She's Cuban for crying out loud! Drama is our middle name.

    To reply to the person who doesn't understand Celia's significance to the gay community. Celia Cruz was very gay friendly. She wasn't afraid to play at gay clubs and become an AIDs advocate way before it was popular to do so. She played an important role as an AIDS advocate. Celia was well loved by generations young and old. She helped bridge the generational gap for the Hispanic community to talk about AIDs.

    From the photos you can tell the woman dressed outrageous! She was a big favorite among drag queens and still is.

     

    VidaSalsera's picture

    Hello.

    Submitted by
    VidaSalsera (1 post)
    on August 28, 2007 - 5:54pm.

    Beautiful pictures! and nice article.  FYI, I posted a link to this from my website: http://www.VidaSalsera.com

    Hope that's ok!

    dena


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