Cuba's Teatro de las Estaciones and Teatro SEA Team for 'LA GLORIA' This November

In its milestone 30th anniversary, the esteemed Society of the Educational Arts, Inc. (Teatro SEA), under the artistic direction of Dr. Manuel A. Moran has announced that it will present the world premiere of LA GLORIA, (THE GLORY) A LATIN CABARET -- a musical revue that honors the late legendary superstars of Latin Cabaret from the Caribbean.

This production is a collaboration with Cuba's internationally acclaimed company Teatro de las Estaciones, and associate producers John "Gungie" Rivera and Richard Marino Production Design, Sets, Costumes and Puppets by Zenén Calero, Artistic Consultant Rubén Darío Salazar, and is written by Cuba's most prominent playwright Norge Espinosa. The production will be the first artistic collaboration for the Latino Community in New York City between Cuba and The United States since the diplomatic relations between the two countries have improved. Previews begin November 13th with and the official opening will be on November 21st.

A portion of ticket proceeds will go to benefit the Cristian Rivera Foundation. The Cristian Rivera Foundation's mission is to help find a cure for the Pontine Giloma brain stem tumor, which affects children 1 to 9 years. CRF donates all monies raised to hospitals and foundations that are actively researching cures through medical trials and scientific research.

Celia Cruz started her career in Cuba and joined the infamous Afro-Cuban band, La Sonora Matancera. She eventually became a Latin Mega Star and "The Queen of Salsa", winning many Grammy Awards.

Daniel Santos, a Puerto Rican composer and singer of boleros, became a star in the 1950's throughout Latin America, recording over 40 albums. He performed in the United States and throughout Latin America, including Cuba with La Sonora Matancera, singing various music styles from the Caribbean.

Myrta Silva, also known as "La Gorda de Oro" / "The Large Woman of Gold" and "The Queen of the Guaracha", was a Puerto Rican singer and composer. She began in Cabarets and eventually gained much fame singing with many Latin American stars during the '40's and '50s. As the lead singer in La Sonora Matancera for several years, her music career continued to flourish, and she expanded into television producing her own show.

La Sonora Matancera is an Afro-Cuban band formed in Matanzas, Cuba in the early 1920's. The band lasted for more than 50 years, and various famous singers were involved with the band, including Celia Cruz, Daniel Santos and Myrta Silva.

"This show will transport audiences to a heavenly realm where Myrta Silva and Daniel Santos are the stars of a big band nightclub emceed by Archangel Camacho, says Dr. Morán. "One evening, Celia Cruz arrives and wants to share the stage with them, this kick-starts a humorous Telenovela style drama and most memorable night, as they sing their greatest hits. A Live orchestra, singers, puppets and a little celestial magic, make this show a hit in heaven."

Poet, playwright, and cultural critic Norge Espinosa Mendoza (b. 1971, Santa Clara), graduated from the National School of Arts and the Higher Institute of Art in La Habana. He holds the distinction of being the first Cuban to participate in the University of Iowa's prestigious International Writing Program. He has been the author and advisor of many plays for children's and adult's theater companies. Teatro Pálpito, Teatro de las Estaciones and Teatro El Público are some of these companies, for which he has written plays like Sácame del apuro (1997), La virgencita de bronce (2004) and Ícaros (2003). He is the Chairman of the Section of Theatre Critics of the Union of Writers of Cuba, has published theater books, essays and poetry. Some of his work for puppets, that has been premiered and awarded in several competitions are Federico de noche, Por el monte carulé, and Pinocho/Corazón madera.Founder of the Jornadas de Arte Homoerótico and co-organizer of Cuba's annual Jornada contra la Homofobia, he is widely considered one of Cuba's most important LGBT activists. His poem "Vestido de novia" was the first poem on a homoerotic theme to win the Premio de Poesía from Cuba's state cultural magazine El Caimán Barbudo and has since become one of the most anthologized poems by poets of his generation. His most recent book is a piece for actors and puppets: Un mar de flores. He is the Vice President of UNIMA Cuba.

Teatro SEA's latest production assembles an all-star creative team. Choreography by Daniel Fetecua; Orchestration & Musical Direction by Alejandro Zuleta; Production Design (Set, Costumes & Puppet Design) by Zenén Calero; the Design Consultant is Jose Lopez; Lighting Design is by Jason Fok; Costume Realization by Ingrid Harris; and Directed & Produced by Manuel A. Morán.

Performances are Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 4pm and continue through December 6.

Tickets for The Glory, are $35.00 in advance and $45.00 the day of the performance and can be purchased online at WWW.TEATROSEA.ORG or by calling 212-529-1545.

Celebrating it's 30th Anniversary, established in 1985, SEA (Society of the Educational Arts, Inc.), is the premiere Bilingual Arts-in-Education Organization and Latino Children's Theatre in the United States. Its celebrated programs include school, outdoor, community and Main stage performances, workshops and residencies, among others, reaching over 75,000 children and young adults every year. The organization, established by Dr. Manuel A. Morán, currently has offices in San Juan and New York. In celebration of its 30th Anniversary, Teatro SEA, the Nation's Only Latino Children's Theatre, is offering FREE Admission to All Children under the age of 12.

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