I Like It Like That - A Musical
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. More…
The Rodriguez family is living in New York City’s El Barrio in the early 1970s, when music was a proud expression of Latino culture amidst neighborhood volatility and social activism. The story centers on patriarch Don Roberto, who tries to instill good values in his children, and faces down the grit and chaos of the era. He works hard to hold his family together, and all the while music and imagination keep their souls afloat. Featuring classic songs by Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Willie Colón, Héctor Lavoe, Rubén Blades, Johnny Pacheco, Pete El Conde, La Lupe, and others. Mostly in Spanish with English supertitles.
"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." Full Review
"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." Full Review
"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." Full Review
"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." Full Review
"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." Full Review
"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." Full Review
"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." Full Review
"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." Full Review
See it if You are familiar with Hispanic culture and like salsa music and have an understanding of Spanish language
Don't see it if you don't know Spanish and don't like Latin music and Harlem stories
See it if You like great music,dancing,acting and very, very heartwarming. I loved it!!!
Don't see it if I cannot think one bad thing to say.
See it if YOU LIKE LATIN MUSIC DANCE AND A GOOD STORY
Don't see it if DONT LIKE LATIN MUSIC
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
Also THERE WERE TIMES WHEN I COULD NOT FOLLOW THE DIALOGUE BECAUSE I AM NOT... Read more Read less
See it if You love Salsa and Bomba y Plena music from Puerto Rico, great dancing and singing and the 1970s vibe!
Don't see it if You don't like any of the above!
See it if ...you want to enjoy a fun-filled evening, replete with great acting, music and comedy. A must see!
Don't see it if ....you don't want to have fun.
See it if you enjoy Latin music and culture, great singing, and a serious topic presented in a very entertaining vehicle.
Don't see it if you don't like salsa music or a mixture of English and Spanish (although there are English titles for the Spanish).
See it if You like the 1970's , listening to Salsa music , and family.
Don't see it if You don't like Salsa or if you don't enjoy watching shows that take place in the 70's.
See it if You like Latin American music salsa🎼 and you are a fan of Tito Nieves!
Don't see it if Don't enjoy Spanish music
See it if LOVED THE SHOW. GREAT CAST. ACCURATE VIEW OF EL BARRIO IN THE 70'S.
Don't see it if ACTING WAS GOOD, MUSIC WAS GOOD AND GOT LOTS OF LAUGHS OUT OF IT.
See it if you like musicals you love Latin music
Don't see it if you don't like bilingual musicals
See it if you like Spanish music, lived in the hood or empathize with the Puerto Rican plight.
Don't see it if Don't like Latin music. Urban lore makes you uncomfortable.
See it if If you grew up in the 1970's and enjoy your salsa music from the greatest!!
Don't see it if I can't think of any reason for anyone not wanting to see this performance!!
See it if You love Salsa, love wonderful acting and singing, and want to be totally lost in the moment. I did not want this show to end!
Don't see it if You're dead, or prefer to be miserable.
Also Every single singer in this show was outstanding. The music was sensat... Read more Read less
See it if You like music with rythm and heart. You like Spanish music and rhythms. You don't mind reading subtitles. You want to hear some great music
Don't see it if You hate music. You hate reading subtitles. You want a serious drama. You have no rythm and don't care for rythm.
See it if You enjoy lively classic salsa music
Don't see it if You dislike salsa and/or are offended by profanity
See it if You want to feel alive with the passion of joy, humor, heartache in a story woven with Latin music.
Don't see it if You are not interested in Latin music or the Latinx experience.
Also Phenomenal show. So many favorite parts....The verbal sparring in Cont... Read more Read less
See it if you love Spanish singing and dancing and musicals
Don't see it if you dont understand Spanish life and characters in the Barrio
See it if You love salsa music from the 60s and 70s
Don't see it if You dont like learning about Puerto Rican culture and life in NYC during the 60s
See it if You like Latin music and dancing
Don't see it if You mind songs in Spanish
See it if want to feel what is was like to grow up in a spanish neighborhood set in the 70's this show is definetly for you. great latin singers
Don't see it if dont like span-english dialog, spanish music
See it if If you're latino or from el barrio or love Latin music.
Don't see it if If you don't like Latin music or understand the culture. If you don't like Spanglish plays.
Also This was incredible. This play is now on my top 10 list. So much fun
See it if You enjoy Salsa and musicals. The theme was heartwarming and fun.
Don't see it if Have a hard time with subtitles. They were hard to read on the stage, and not always a clear interpretation as most of the show is in spanis
See it if Love musicals. Exceptional singing capturing the essence of 70s NYC Bario. Audience breaks into song and laughter. Thick w Hispanic culture
Don't see it if You have no interest in Hispanic culture and have difficulty understanding thick Latin accents.
Cast & Creatives (22)
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