RIALTO CHATTER: 'Menudo' Headed For Broadway?

Enormously popular 1980s Latin boy band Menudo might be headed to the Broadway stage. According to reports, Menudo founder Edgardo Diaz is preparing a musical utilizing songs made famous by the group. The context in which the music will be used is not yet known.

The production is said to be produced on a grand scale, and casting will take place all over Latin America. The show is scheduled to premiere in Caracas, Venezuela this November.

Coming out of Puerto Rico in the 1970s, MENUDO was the first of a wave of talented singing and dancing groups that's still relevant 30 years later. The group has sold over 40 million records worldwide, broke numerous attendance records including: 13 consecutive sellout performances at Radio City Music Hall, 200,000 fans at a soccer stadium in Rio de Janeiro, over 500,000 fans at a Mexico City concert and launching the career of international superstar Ricky Martin.

MENUDO is again performing, this time in an updated version with a contemporary sound and look. The five new members Carlos Olivero (19 years old, Mexican/Puerto Rican, Chicago, IL); Chris Moy (16 years old, Puerto Rican/Venezuelan/Chinese, Bronx / Dutchess County, NY); Emmanuel Vélez Pagán (18 years old, Puerto Rican, Trujillo Alto, PR); José Bordonada Collazo (16 years old, Puerto Rican, Manati, Puerto Rico) and Monti Montañez (19 years old, Puerto Rican, Caguas, Puerto Rico / Now Laredo, TX) are young, polished, highly professional singing-and-dancing boy group. They released their first new music on their More Than Words EP that was released on December 18, 2007 exclusively in Target Stores around the country where it completely sold through by mid-January.

The New Group came together on the MTV & MTV Tr3s reality series Making Menudo. Viewers watched the dramatic competition week after week, as fifteen young Latinos, chosen from nationwide search went through a demanding "boy-band boot camp" designed by legendary pop impresario Johnny Wright to train and choose the five best suited for the even harder job of working professionally as a performing team. Five dedicated, ultra-talented guys between the ages of 15 and 18 were chosen. Carlos, Jose, Monti, Emmanuel and Chris underwent a rigorous process of musical, choreographic, and professional education that required them to excel individually and to work together as a cohesive unit. Each one can sing lead, and each one specializes in a particular style of music. But they all do all styles, and they harmonize together.

For more information visit www.menudo.com.