New musical lets Celia Cruz brighten stage again - NYC

“With the golden age of Latin music receding further into the past, eager audiences are searching for ways to recapture moments that deeply affected their lives. This summer, “El Cantante,” a biopic about singer Héctor Lavoe’s life, riveted a generation of salsa fans despite mixed reviews. Now it’s Celia Cruz’s turn to be immortalized, this time in an Off-Broadway production now playing at New World Stages Theater (212-239-6200).

“Celia: The Life and Music of Celia Cruz” is in many ways more satisfying than “El Cantante.” It helped that Cruz’s story was presented as live musical theater. Former Yerba Buena singer Xiomara Laugart took advantage of her starring role with stunningly accurate performances of Cruz standards like “Cumbanchero” and “Quí­mbara.” Even longtime collaborator Johnny Pacheco, who was in the audience, was visibly moved when Laugart closed the first act with her rendition of “Bemba Colorá.”"

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