This post was originally published on Playbill - Features
Written by: Playbill Staff
National Hispanic Heritage Month begins September 15, but celebrations are starting early with the concert ¡Viva! Broadway: Aquí y Allá (Here and There). “I celebrate my Hispanic heritage all year long with the food I cook, the music I listen to, and the fantastic conversations I have in Spanish with friends and family,” says Broadway actor Andréa Burns, before asking, “How will you spend it?”
From September 8–10, Playbill, The Broadway League, the Times Square Alliance, and Prudential Financial will host the third annual Curtain Up Broadway Festival in Times Square. The weekend will include a collection of interactive events and performances from Broadway stars, all of which are free and open to the public. On Saturday, September 9 at 5:00 PM, ¡Viva! Broadway: Aquí y Allá (Here and There) will play the Curtain Up Mainstage, with a host of performances from Latin and Hispanic artists.
The concert is a celebration of the influence that Latin and Hispanic artists have had on Broadway. Conceived and directed by Luis Salgado—written by Eric Ulloa, and with musical direction by Jaime Lozano—the concert is a showcase of Latin excellence on Broadway. The numbers will include a “non-traditional presentation” of “America” from West Side Story, a Spanish version of “Being Alive” from Company (featuring lyrics from Javier Vilalta), Andréa Burns singing “I Miss the Mountain” from Next to Normal, and an epic take on “Paciencia Y Fe” from In the Heights.
Ahead of the concert, we asked participating artists to share their favorite musical number from the show, a person in the industry who inspires them, and how they are planning to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Luis Salgado
What song are you most excited to be part of at ¡Viva! Broadway?
As director/choreographer, I am very excited about the non-traditional presentation of West Side Story “America” we are playing with as a celebration of our voices here and there. Also I am truly excited about our vocal ensemble—there are some segues into very exciting songs that we will present. Last but not least, we have a full Latine band and it will sound so authentic and hot!
Who is a Latin person in the industry who inspires you?
There are plenty of artists I love, Moisés Kaufman and Sergio Trujillo are two current examples for me. Graciela Daniele is another fantastic example. Creatives that open doors for an artist like me.
How are you planning on celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month?
I will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by continue to nurture stories that matter to me, my community and our world. But more so, by further inspiring our youth and next generation of writers, composers, stage managers, and performers in the musical theatre world I love so much. I am currently working on a few exciting projects that will share these voices and open more doors of work and opportunity among our people.
Yani Marin
What song are you most excited to be part of in ¡Viva! Broadway?
The song I am most excited to be a part of and sing is “A Boy Like That,” because we’re doing the Spanish version which Lin-Manuel Miranda translated for the 2009 revival of West Side Story. I had the opportunity to perform it on stage back then and getting to revisit it for ¡Viva! Broadway is a dream come true. As an actor, I’ve always felt that the Spanish version is much more powerful.
Who is a Latin person in the industry who inspires you?
I am inspired daily by my community of Latino friends in the industry. But since I could never narrow it down to just one, I choose the living legend, Rita Moreno. I am inspired by her phenomenal career and I pray I can still be doing what I love when I’m her age.
How are you planning on celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month?
One of the ways I plan on celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month is by attending the New York Latino Film Fest and supporting my friends who appear in and/or have written some of these indie films.
Anna Aliau Guerra
What song are you most excited to be part of in ¡Viva! Broadway?
Honestly, I love them all. It’s hard to choose between songs that had been so symbolic for the majority of artists but mostly for Hispanic people, who have been growing up listening to all those songs. But, if I had to chose one, I would say “Mi Tierra” by Gloria Estefan. I remember my mom playing it on the car and it became my favorite song growing up.
Who is a Latin person in the industry who inspires you?
There are many people in the industry who is capable of teaching and sharing their knowledge and culture. But only a few knows how to keep the essence, the tradition, the roots, and the concept of community and family. Someone who has been a father figure in my dance journey, Luis Salgado, taught me how not to forget who we are and be proud of where we come from.
How are you planning on celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month?
I’m planning to get involved in different events to keep people connected to their roots and identity as part of a big and united community. Specially, I would like to contribute with children and remind them their country origin, culture, and be proud of it.
Megan Elyse Fulmer
What song are you most excited to be part of in ¡Viva! Broadway?
“Paciencia y Fe.” I could go on about the significance of that song, and how it’s impacted my life/career, but I’ll avoid writing a novel. That song speaks volumes, on and off stage, and I hold it close to my heart.
Who is a Latin person in the industry who inspires you?
Chita Rivera has always been the woman I look up to most in this industry. In addition, Luis Salgado. I’ve had the privilege of working with him on multiple projects over the last year and some change. I’ve learned a tremendous amount from him. He speaks his truth in his art, and honors our community’s history in everything he does.
How are you planning on celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month?
By spending time in spaces that allow me to continue learning more about my Puerto Rican roots, dancing, spending quality time con mi familia, y COMIDA!!!!
Jaime Lozano
What song are you most excited to be part of in ¡Viva! Broadway?
More than excited about a song, I am excited to share the stage with an ALL LATIN familia of singers, dancers, and musicians. This is something really special and being right in the middle of Times Square gives it an extra meaning.
Who is a Latin person in the industry who inspires you?
I am grateful for all the people who has working hard before me to open doors and for the ones right now by my side. Definitely Lin-Manuel has been always an inspiration and a great supporter of what we are doing. I hope what we do can also inspire right now and in the future many more people. Representation matters.
How are you planning on celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month?
I am celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with the release of my new album, Jaime Lozano & The Familia: Songs by an Immigrant Vol. 2 on September 15 by Concord Records with amazing collaborations with Latin Broadway singers, and we are having a concert same day at Lincoln Center. What a best way to celebrate than by singing our stories. Our stories deserve to be told and heard. And, of course, after that we are all going to have dinner (and why not some drinks) at a Mexican restaurant. And we keep celebrating, because the next couple of months I have the honor to be working developing a few new Latin musicals.
Tami Dahbura
What song are you performing for ¡Viva! Broadway and why did you choose it?
I’m performing “Paciencia Y Fe.” Luis asked me to sing it, and it is such a special song for both Luis and myself. It tells such a perfect story of what it means to be an immigrant, and how it can be exciting and terrifying at the same time being in a new, unknown country. And it moves me deeply, as there is such a need in the song (as well as personally) to let those that came before us with their own dreams and aspirations—that thanks to their struggles, our dreams can come true.
Who is a Latin person in the industry who inspires you?
Rita Moreno! She is a performer that just continues to evolve and reinvent herself as she ages, and she doesn’t let anything get in her way. She continues to show me that age is just a number!
Matías De La Flor
What song are you performing for ¡Viva! Broadway and why did you choose it?
I’m singing “If Ever I Would Leave You,” from Camelot; with a touch of Latin flare. My collaboration with Jaime began after my first night on as Lancelot [in the recent Camelot revival], and the wonderful impulse to explore language through it made me incredibly excited to revisit the piece.
Who is a Latin person in the industry who inspires you?
Lin-Manuel Miranda. Being exposed to his work in high school showed me that I didn’t need to park my culture at the door. As an actor, that was liberating. As a writer, it was a call to action.
How are you planning on celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month?
Cook one new Peruvian dish per week, develop Latin stories uptown, and see mi familia.
Javier Ignacio
What song are you performing for ¡Viva! Broadway and why did you choose it?
I have been asked to perform a song that is near and dear to my heart—in Spanish! From Stephen Sondheim’s musical Company, “Being Alive” reminds us of the human need to connect, the desire to be Someone’s Somebody. It may not be perfect, it may take work, but it’s the process (the highs and lows) that enriches the journey. I had the privilege of being a part of the most recent revival and I’m thrilled to be heading out on the road with the show next month! This beautiful translation is by Javier Vilalta!!
Who is a Latin person in the industry who inspires you?
I am consistently inspired by a Latiné power couple who I am fortunate to call my dear, dear friends: Jaime Lozano and Florencia Cuenca! As someone who has been in their circle from the beginning of the journey in the States, I am constantly in awe of the resilience, the heart, and talent! Most importantly, I love that, despite their struggle, they manage to lift others and unite our community in everything that they do.
How are you planning on celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month?
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! For me, the best way to celebrate is to bring my most authentic Latiné immigrant self to my work and everyday life. Sharing my story and my perspective is a way to inspire others to do the same. And in an industry where we are still underrepresented, I am very much aware of the importance of this task and the privilege that I have to get to do so.
Andréa Burns
What song are you performing for ¡Viva! Broadway and why did you choose it?
“I Miss the Mountains” from Next to Normal. I am a great admirer of this play by my friend, Tom Kitt, and playing Diana is an experience I will never forget.
Who is a Latin person in the industry who inspires you?
Graciela Daniele. She was prolifically directing and choreographing on Broadway after a legendary dance career with Bob Fosse and Michael Bennett. How many Latinas can say that? She is a goddess. Everyone adores Grazie, and she is still creating and inspiring those around her. This season I am lucky enough to be in her latest piece, The Gardens of Anuncia, celebrating the women who raised her, at Lincoln Center.
How are you planning on celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month?
I celebrate my Hispanic heritage all year long with the food I cook, the music I listen to and the fantastic conversations I have in Spanish with friends and family. How will you spend it?
Pablo Torres
What song are you most excited to be part of in ¡Viva! Broadway?
I am most excited to sing “Satin Summer Nights,” from a show called The Capeman. It’s such beautiful song that makes you feel like you’re experiencing a summer night in the city. The lyrics, the melody, the music are just beautiful. Even though it’s a not-well-known song Marc Anthony sings, it is such a treat to listen to.
Who is a Latin person in the industry who inspires you?
Lin-Manuel Miranda changed the game in this industry. He has opened doors for so many artists that for years had been brushed to the side. He is an innovator, creator, fierce performer, and above all, a kind human. As a Latin performer, In The Heights changed my life. As a Colombian, Encanto changed my world. I can only imagine how many people Lin has influenced and inspired. He is Latin excellence personified. Thank you, Lin!
How are you planning on celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month?
I always love to watch documentaries and read about notable people who inspired and changed the world. I also deep dive in novelas,which I love, and music. This year, I’m going to try and watch some movies that have a Hispanic lead or follows a Hispanic story. We need a great deal more representation in the TV, film, and theatre industry. But it’s awesome to see what’s there in order to be inspired to make more.
