Spanish Lyric Theatre Announces Cabaret Series Partnership With 100-Year-Old Historic Centro Asturiano

Spanish Lyric Theatre and SLT Productions, the nation's oldest Hispanic theatre company and the longest running theatre in the greater Tampa Bay Area, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Centro Asturiano de Tampa to present a professional Las Vegas-style theatrical cabaret series during the 2014-2015 season.

The historic Centro Asturiano is one of Tampa's early Spanish social clubs which originally catered to Latin males, most of whom were immigrant workers in Ybor City's cigar factories. Currently celebrating its 100-year anniversary, the Centro boasts a stunning grand ballroom and a historic turn-of-the-century architecture theatre.

The cabaret series, entitled "Casa Blanca At The Centro Asturiano" will feature three dynamic theatrical concert events to be presented in the Centro's Grand Ballroom which pay tribute to the days of the original Copacabana Supper Club in New York City and the Latin Casinos in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

"Spanish Lyric Theatre is thrilled to embark on this new partnership with the Centro Asturiano," says SLT Interim Artistic Director, Michael Mathews.

"Both the Centro and SLT have longstanding roots in the Hispanic and Latin American communities and we could not be more pleased to combine our efforts in order to preserve the rich traditions of both organizations, while producing high quality family entertainment in the process."

The cabaret series kicks off in December with THE LEGENDARY BOBBY DARIN, the ultra successful tribute concert event that has toured since 2008 starring Mathews and featuring some of Tampa Bay's finest female dancers as the world famous Copacabana girls. In April 2015 comes the smash hit SERIOUSLY SINATRA, a multimedia tribute to "Old Blue Eyes" which has also garnered critical acclaim on tour in Florida over the last 5 years. Finally in June, SLT and the Centro will present SONGBOOK. From Etta James and Sammy Davis, Jr. to Barbra Streisand and Michael Buble and everywhere in between, this brand new cabaret features the greatest hits of the Great American Songbook.

In addition to these three cabarets, SLT will also present one of its mainstage shows in the Centro Grand Ballroom, MUSIC OF THE KNIGHT: THE SONGS OF SIR ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER & FRIENDS, a musical showcase of Broadway's biggest and most well-known composer, as well as music of those who have clearly defined the modern day Broadway phenomenon!

Part of the proceeds from these four shows will also be used to renovate the lighting and sound systems in the Centro's historic theatre.

"We are excited to enter into a partnership with such a prestigious organization as the Spanish Lyric Theatre," says Centro Asturiano President, Frank Menendez.

"We are looking forward to many outstanding performances in our historic building."

Spanish Lyric Theatre's 56th season is presented by Tampa Bay-based TheatreWorld Backdrops, supplier of thousands of Broadway-caliber theatrical backdrops annually to theatres, dance companies, schools, and event planners around the country.

Tickets will be available for the entire season or on an individual show basis in the coming days.

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