HAVANA BC Recreates in Song and Dance the Romance of Cuban Night Life Before Castro

Havana, Cuba before Fidel Castro: it was a tropical paradise for the well-heeled. A place where movie stars, jet-setters and celebrities went to take the sun and catch the incredible music scene. Think Desi Arnaz, Perez Prado, Miguelito Valdez, Tito Puente and Celia Cruz, and classic numbers like Babalu, The Peanut Vendor, Cuban Pete and The Cuban Love Song, among others. This is the world of HAVANA B.C. - CUBA AND THE U.S. BEFORE CASTRO, A MUSICAL LOVE AFFAIR FROM THE 1920s THROUGH THE 1950s.

Bistro Award-winner, Singer-dancer Ron Torres, with his velvety baritone, captures the elegance and the music, and with dance partner Debbie Schuster, the rhythms of the cha-cha, rumba and of course, the mambo. HAVANA B.C. - CUBA AND THE U.S. BEFORE CASTRO, A MUSICAL LOVE AFFAIR FROM THE 1920s THROUGH THE 1950s is a spectacular salute to an age gone by, chock full of thrilling song and dance as well as a thoughtful narrative that gives context to the show. "There's a lot of nostalgia about that period in Havana," Torres says, "but the truth is that the music has had an enduring influence on American culture today."

The show was originally conceived and performed in New York, winning a Bistro Award for Torres. HAVANA B.C. - CUBA AND THE U.S. BEFORE CASTRO, A MUSICAL LOVE AFFAIR FROM THE 1920s THROUGH THE 1950s then went on for a hugely successful, sold out, 3-month run (nine shows a week!) at the Coconut Playhouse in Miami, Florida. In bringing the show back to New York City, Torres says, "It's especially relevant now that Fidel Castro is gone and a new era for Cuba is beginning." Lucky patrons of the Triad Theater can hoist a Cuba Libre, toast Havana and imagine they're in the fabled Tropicana night club with the likes of Fran Sinatra, Ava Gardner or Ernest Hemingway sitting nearby.

Ron Torres has been a regular on the New York City night-spot scene for over 35 years, garnering enthusiastic reviews along the way. Originally a ballroom dancer, Ron is also a choreographer and actor. His other cabaret shows have included Broadway to Hollywood, Destination Nat King Cole and Another Opening Another Show.

HAVANA B.C. - CUBA AND THE U.S. BEFORE CASTRO, A MUSICAL LOVE AFFAIR FROM THE 1920s THROUGH THE 1950s is directed by Alex Rybeck, who also music directs. Percussion is by Roger Souitero.

HAVANA B.C. - CUBA AND THE U.S. BEFORE CASTRO,
A MUSICAL LOVE AFFAIR FROM THE 1920s THROUGH THE 1950s
April 1, 2017 at 9 PM, The Triad Theater, 158 W. 72nd St., NYC

Call 212-279-4200 for tickets/reservations or go to www.triadnyc.com.