By Andrew Gans
29 May 2007

Celia, the new musical based on the life of the late Cuban singer Celia Cruz, will make its world premiere this summer at New World Stages.

Previews of Celia will begin Aug. 28 at 8 PM at the Off-Broadway venue. No casting has been announced.

Celia will play Tuesday-Friday at 8 PM, Saturdays at 5 and 9 PM and Sundays at 3 and 7 PM. All shows will be performed in Spanish, except for the Saturday at 5 PM and Sunday at 7 PM shows. Those two shows will be performed in English.

Celia is written by Carmen Rivera and Candido Tirado, directed by Jaime Azpilicueta and produced by David Maldonado. Following its New York engagement, the musical will play stops in Chicago; Los Angeles; Miami; Dallas; Washington, D.C.; and Boston, as well several Latin American countries.

Cardenas Marketing Network chief executive officer Henry Cardenas, who is the executive producer of Celia, said in a statement, "We're ecstatic about our partnership with New World Stages. With its breathtaking renovation and reputation for housing some of the best Off-Broadway productions, this first-class venue could not be more suitable as we pay tribute to one of the most talented and respected Latino artists of all-time."

Celia, according to press notes, "is the story of an artist's love for her country revealed through a musical life that spans for more than 60 years. Throughout her career, Cruz faces constant successes as well as challenges. As a young woman, she defies her father's opposition to become a singer and conspires with her mother to accomplish her dream. As her fame increases, so does the price of her success. She shares her victories and disillusions with the love of her life, Pedro Knight, and dreams of one day returning to her country. However, that dream is challenged when she is denied a visa to visit her dying mother, and then realizes that she may never again return to her beloved Cuba."

Celia Cruz, who was born in Havana, Cuba, in October 1924, died July 16, 2003, in Fort Lee, NJ. She was the recipient of seven Grammy Awards.

New World Stages is located at 340 West 50th Street. Tickets will go on sale June 11 by calling (212) 239-6200 or by visiting www.telecharge.com.