I Like It Like That - A Musical NYC Reviews and Tickets
About the Show
Puerto Rican Traveling Theater presents a new tuner about family and music in '70s New York, starring salsa sensation Tito Nieves. Part of Teatro Fest NYC 2016.
Member Reviews (136)
See it if you love Latin music. This jukebox musical is poorly plotted, but delivers lots of strong singing and dancing. Lots of stereotypes.
Don't see it if you don't know Spanish; ILILT is fully bilingual. The plot's thin; characters are sketches. Heavy and light moments seesaw. Read more
See it if You like latin themed family dramas. You can join the audience's love of this music and dont need a strong plot to hang the music on.
Don't see it if You dont like subtitles, obviously if you dont like latin music. Or tales of El Barrio
See it if you like Latin music and are interested in stories about El Barrio and its culture.
Don't see it if you do not like Latin sterotypes or do not care for puertorican music.
See it if you like Salsa & Latin music. Richer & funnier if you're Latino or know Spanish but it's not necessary for this fun, joyously performed show
Don't see it if you dislike Salsa, Latin music, PR culture, NY in the 70's or the rare chance of seeing this fun and hugely talented cast and amazing band. Read more
See it if you like salsa music and want to see a show more for the music than the plot, which was thin and trite. Creative use of a simple set.
Don't see it if you don't speak some Spanish (or don't mind not catching everything). Spanish lyrics and some dialogue projected on the wall but hard to see
See it if YOU WANT TO BE ENTERTAINED. YOU LIKE MUSIC. YOU LIKE SINGING AND DANCING LATIN STYLE. YOU WANT TO LAUGH. YOU WANT TO DANCE IN YOUR SEAT.
Don't see it if YOU DO NOT LIKE SINGING AND DANCING LATIN STYLE. YOU DON'T WANT TO LISTEN TO SPANISH DIALOGUE AND SINGING. YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE ENTERTAINED Read more
See it if For salsa fans, a great little musical. For those of us familiar with Tito Nieves and his musical predecessors, you will love it.
Don't see it if you are clueless about the Bronx & PR/Latino musical legacy; didn't like 'In The Heights"
See it if you enjoy melodic, rhythmic Hispanic music and book brilliantly performed, regardless whether you understand Spanish or can read subtitles
Don't see it if you do not enjoy Hispanic music regardless whether you understand Puerto Rican Spanish (subtitles difficult to see from any audience seat)
Critic Reviews (8)
"It's a delightful jukebox extravaganza certain to have you on your feet by the end of the show...'I Like It Like That' suffers from many of the same flaws seen in other musicals that attempt to shoehorn a parade of hits into a manufactured plot: The exposition is clunky, with no plot line getting truly adequate attention...But honestly, the music is so much fun and the singing so impressive, it's easy to forgive a touch-and-go plot...The band sounds excellent, as does everyone in the cast."
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"Audiences at jukebox musicals can be remarkably forgiving; mostly they just want to hear the songs they know and love. So it is with 'I Like It Like That'...The songs are delivered with brio by an an excellent band and the cast...It's hard not to feel that a fine opportunity has been squandered; what would it take to put together a cogent musical celebration with story lines that really went somewhere?...In any case, I suspect that this show will entertain everyone in its target audience."
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"Maldonado and Jáquez have crafted a flavorful and sturdy scenario that, though hackneyed, is emotionally involving. Most importantly, they’ve created a framework for the performance of over 30 salsa songs...The combination of Jáquez’s solid direction and lively choreography yields a fast-paced and vibrant presentation...Despite its formulaic story, 'I Like It Like That' is quite exhilarating with its sensational salsa renditions as performed by its appealing cast and excellent band."
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"A lively musical about the '70s that's a true feast of salsa packed with exhilarating fun and the people’s genuine love for El Barrio...A simple, moving story set against a complex historical background...'I Like It Like That' has much to offer in diversifying New York's musical theatre scene. The show captures the sweet and sorrowful essence of its characters, and is also a joyous time capsule."
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"It’s been a long time since I saw an audience enjoy itself at a show as much as...‘I Like it Like That,’ a sketchily written, broadly acted, but rousingly joyful, jukebox musical...‘I Like it Like That’ is often clumsy...and the attempts at social relevance are more nostalgic than documentarian, but none of this matters very much. I liked it like that, and so, I’m sure, will you."
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"The score is infectious with a vocal powerhouse of a cast. Each one sings better than the next....The show has numbers by Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri and Rubén Blades, but adds in original music...This is where the show does’t exactly succeed...The book is flimsy and the choreography energetic but simplistic...This is the problem with most jukebox musicals. The story is suited to add the numbers...However what we do get is the sense of family and love of where they come from."
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"The plot is thin. So are the characters. But it's an experience to witness the participatory reactions from the audience...The truth is 'I Like It Like That' pulls the wool over their eyes. If you truly dissect this show, it's sadly not a good theatrical product...In reality, it's a thin book musical with a little jukebox thrown in...It’s the energy of the music that brings this show together. If you’re looking for a strong musical, this is not it. If you want to have fun, you’ll like this."
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"It doesn’t take long to fall in love with 'I Like It Like That'...The characters are rich. They feel familiar fast...The power of music is on display. The music of great Latin artists like Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, and many others, keeps the plot moving and the audience singing...It’s a fun party, one-part drama and many parts comedy. Not just a little bit funny, but several belly laughs. 'I Like It Like That' entertains on every level...You’ll leave feeling uplifted, and singing."
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