Celia to Close at New World Stages; Tour in the Works

Celia will close on May 25 at off-Broadway's New World Stages. When it closes, the musical that celebrates the life and music of the late Cuban singer Celia Cruz, will have played a total of 25 previews and 269 regular performances.

Celia 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.

The show, written by Carmen Rivera and Candido Tirado and directed by Jaime Azpilicueta, stars Xiomara Laugart Sanchez. Performed in both English and Spanish, it opened on September 26, 2007..

Producers Henry Cardenas and David Maldonado are now planning a world tour for the piece.