By January 29th, when the show closed, nearly 25,000 audience members had seen I Like It Like That – A Musical at the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater (PRTT) since it began last September. Think for a moment of the significance of this. PRTT has 186 seats available for this production. We performed 8 times a week. Most times, each seat was taken.
As per our program note: “This is a homecoming of sorts, and the show could not have opened in any other New York stage but this one. ILILT is also a crowning achievement of Plataforma: The Bronx-Broadway Showcase for Latino Theater, a producing, commissioning and presenting initiative.” In many ways, I Like It Like That- A Musical, is the ideal project to celebrate the recent merger of Pregones and Puerto Rican Traveling Theater.
We are indebted to the vision, skills and resources of our partners and producers David Maldonado (of ¿Quién Mató a Héctor Lavoe?, Celia and Barbería) and David Rodríguez. And to the story that Maldonado and director/playwright Waddy Jáquez brought to us at Pregones about two years ago hoping to partner in bringing it to the stage.
For Pregones, this is our first collaboration with a commercial partner, but the friendship between the PRTT and the creators of I LIKE IT LIKE THAT-A MUSICAL (ILILT) goes back 15 years, so it precedes our merger. We learned to work together, defining our respective territories, influencing and testing each other’s aesthetics and business ‘worlds’. And I believe we have succeeded. Working with David Rodriguez almost on a daily basis was especially satisfying — made only possible because of the amazing work of our respective teams, who have given 200%.
In a nutshell, the process went something like this: together, we organized a series of table readings at our Casa Blanca at Pregones. From there, we began to process a staged concert version. A highlight in this process was the involvement of TITO NIEVES from the beginning of the rehearsals at Pregones. This was his first participation in a musical theater production. It was a learning process for all involved. Artists came and went and each left something special. Waddys Jáquez, Director, and Desmar Guevara, Musical Director, kept the process in focus throughout.
In October 2015 we presented the concert version before a full house at the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater. The director, playwright and musical director went right back to work. I had the good fortune to join as dramatist, to assist the co-writers with some dialogue and structural options. Fast forward and in September 2016 we were ready!
© Marisol Diaz, 2016- I Like It Like That A New Musical Starring Tito Nieves at the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater & at 304 West 47th street, New York , N.Y. 10036. Produced by David Maldonado, David Rodriguez & Juan Toro; Co- Produced by Pregones Theater/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater
Each actor on the stage, each musician behind the stage, each designer, crew member and house staff deserve recognition. What a village! And of course, we got lucky when, as Tito needed to leave to pursue his previous commitments, DOMINGO QUIÑONES entered the scene.
(c) Marisol Díaz, 2016.
SHOUT OUT TO ARTISTS!!
We thank the cast and understudies that are finalizing the run at the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater: Shadia Fairuz, Chachi Del Valle, Angel López, Rossmery Almonte, Gilberto Velázquez, Quique González, Nelson González, Sofia Klimovsky, Domingo Quiñones, Besanya Santiago and Natalia Peguero. And to members of the original cast including Tito Nieves, Ana Isabelle and Yesenia Santiago. Understudy Jorge Maldonado was a true comrade when it counted the most! Original BAND: Desmar Guevara, Anthony Carrillo, Bobby Allende, Jorge Castro, Guido Gonzlez, Jerry Madera and Hommy Ramos.
It’s a life journey that will keep I Like It Like That – A Musical in the collective memory of dozens of theater and music makers and the thousands of audiences who saw the show.
For now, please stay tuned for information on touring engagements of the production.
And of course, stay connected with Pregones and Puerto Rican Traveling Theater. We can’t do it without you!
GRACIAS!!
BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!
MARCH IS MUSIC
Concerts, Free Piano Sundays and our growing partnership with Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Series
BOLERO
A brand new take of our classic El Bolero Fué Mi Ruina, directed by Jorge B. Merced
STAGE •GARDEN •RUMBA
Year round gathering of neighbors and neighborhoods, community artists and activists gather to meet, share and create inside the theater and in our Garden.
BETSY! on Tour
The touring concert version of our Bronx/Appalachia hit show is in the works!
We will continue to unveil amazing events in the days to come. Check out our website often.
Join us! Become a Member, Volunteer and/or Donor.
https://pregonesprtt.org Tel. 718-585-1202 [email protected]
will i like like that be returning in the future?
I attended this show twice, once in December and again in January. It was a tremendous experience, the music was happening and the performances were awesome! Made me proud to be a New York Puerto Rican. Mind you, I live in Florida now– and yes, I’m glad I flew in twice to experience this magnificient event 🙂
THANK YOU so much for your kind message and for going to such lengths to attend the show. We hope we can meet you either in New York or in Florida! Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are in New York next time. Our upcoming productions either at Pregones in The Bronx or the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater in Manhattan are updated in our website regularly. On behalf of the I LIKE IT LIKE THAT family… Gracias!
Will this show I like it like that be in theatres again? I am so sad I missed it. I was so excited but I had just heard about it today.
Saludos Damaris,
Thanks for reaching out! At this time, plans for a tour are underway. We’ll keep NYC posted as the show goes on the road! In the meantime, do check out the other great events taking place at our two venues in The Bronx and Manhattan. Next is our March Is Music Series followed by the award winning production The Bolero Was My Downfall, both in the BX. I hope you’ll be able to join us!
I saw I Like It Like That Wed, Jan 25, and I loved it. Every scene, every song, every character had something of me growing up in New York in that era. I would love to see it again and take friends and family, but I know the show is closing in New York. Can you tell me where the show is going next? I’m thinking of getting on a plane and following it…assuming of course Trump won’t ban me from coming back home, Puerto Ricans being the other Mexicans (according to him).
Vivian Perez
Saw the show last night, January 28th and loved everything about it. The music, the dancing, the characters but most especially the feeling of pride I felt at being Puerto Rican. This show brought back so many childhood memories. I’m so grateful my friends invited us to experience this show. Looking forward to the next one. Thank you for bringing me back to my childhood and all the greatest memories.
Great show totally enjoyed it, our daughter bought tickets for her Dad’s birthday. What a great gift he loved it. I didn’t know about the show so I am saddened that it close on the 29th We saw it on the 28th. I was planning to tell all my friends to go see it. Hopefully they will open again.
There is a large Hispanic Community that would love to see this show in Miami/Ft. Laud and Orlando PLEASE
Saludos Avi
Thank you for reaching out. At this time, plans for a tour are underway. Stay tuned!
Is the show no longer in production???
Hello Janet,
I Like It Like That closed on January 29th. At this time, plans for a tour are underway and we hope it will start in Chicago in the Summer. We’ll keep NYC posted as the show goes on the road!
I loved it, we had a great time, I thought the guy next to me was going to get upset because I knew every song. My husband and I had a great time and we need more shows like this. Congrats to the cast , they were great, I love Domingo i saw him in P.R . singing Hector Lavoe songs and I loved him ever since. From the bottom of my heart thank you.
Saludos María
So glad you enjoyed I Like It Like That! I hope you get a chance to see some of the other productions coming up at our venues in the Bronx and Manhattan. Next is our March Is Music Series in the Bronx, Followed by the award winning production The Bolero Was My Downfall in May 2017. Thank you for reaching out!
Will they bring it back??? I missed it we had a group off ppl but it was sold out for the last week so I’m sad to say I missed it…
Saludos Rossie
We are thrilled by the response to I Like It Like That! At this time, plans for a tour are underway. We’ll keep NYC posted as the show goes on the road! In the meantime, do check out the other great events taking place at our two venues in The Bronx and Manhattan. Thank you for reaching out!
Please bring it back!
Saludos Maritza,
We are thrilled by the response to I Like It Like That! At this time, plans for a tour are underway. We’ll keep NYC posted as the show goes on the road! In the meantime, do check out the other great events taking place at our two venues in The Bronx and Manhattan. Thank you for reaching out!
I would very much be interested if your show will be returning to New York City. So sorry I missed it.
Saludos Nancy,
I Like It Like That closed on January 29th. At this time, plans for a tour are underway and we hope it will start in Chicago in the Summer. We’ll keep NYC posted as the show goes on the road! Thank you for reaching out!
I hope it comes back, I was going to buy tickets to take my husband for his birthday on May when I saw that last show was January 29th I missed it I hope it comes back. Please keep me posted if it comes back.
Saludos Zulma
Yes – I Like It Like That closed on January 29th. At this time, plans for a tour are underway and we hope it will start in Chicago in the Summer. We’ll keep NYC posted as the show goes on the road! Thank you for reaching out!
Saw production twice. I could not resist. The music and dancing was “on point”. The acting was superb. I loved the way story line was abruptly interrupted by breaking out in song. What pleasure that brought to my ears. The much cherished memories came flooding back. I am hooked. I want more. I am looking forward to seeing the cast of “I Like It Like That” and the Puerto Rican traveling cast.
.
Saludos J. Rinaldi
I Like It Like That closed on January 29th. At this time, plans for a tour are underway and we hope it will start in Chicago in the Summer. We’ll keep NYC posted as the show goes on the road!
Rosalba, I don’t know where to start. Incredibly entertaining and heart warming in so many ways. I saw the play twice and yearn to see it again! Not enough adjectives and verbs to describe what I felt. At first I was taken blown away by what I deemed were the central characters and at the end I loved EVERY one evenly. Beautifully written, directed and acted. I am a 61 years repressed writer who grew up in parts of the barrio as a youngster and other impoverished areas of Manhattan. Drugs and music were the call of the day and the play intermingled both beautifully with bits of the ” dreams deferred” element. Wow, my wife tells me that everyday I somehow bring ILILT in our conversation whether it’s a subtle musical reminder, a La Lupe song, a verse from the play delivered by Domingo or simply how difficult but yet wonderful it was to grow up in a tightly knit poor neighborhood. In 1996 my life had taken a new turn when I embraced a life free of drugs and alcohol and somehow found my way back to writing. I started writing a story about a barrio Puerto Rican drug dealer victimized by his environment , his tragic past, sense of hopelessness, but yet yields to his moral compass to navigate through life. Salsa ironically is also the backdrop. Needless to say ILILT has inspired me to write and hopefully finish my story. What Waddys, David and Desmar have created is pure magical. The music, joy, pain and finally the inspirational redemption is intensely felt. This great roller coaster journey takes us through the 70’s laced with our vIvacious music, Salsa. I hope someday to find my way into the PRTT in some capacity.
BTW: the evening was capped by the the wonderful cast mingling with their fans outside the theater. We were in heaven.
I’m hoping that LIKING LIKE IT IS will come Back! And come back soon
Saludos Adelaida,
I Like It Like That closed on January 29th. At this time, plans for a tour are underway and we hope it will start in Chicago in the Summer. We’ll keep NYC posted as the show goes on the road!
I just received rave reviews of ILILT and am saddened by the fact that I missed it’s run in the BX, but hope that during it’s tour that Springfield , Massachusetts is one of it’s stops!!
Would really appreciate it if you can let me know if you are going to be returning to NY. My husband and I have our 30th Anniversary coming up in June and I really wanted to surprise him with tickets and found out the last showing was January 29th.
Please let me know!
Greetings Ramona. Thanks for reaching out. The show will be on tour later this Spring. There are no planned performances in NY for now. We do have other productions at our Bronx and Manhattan venues in June, such as the return of El Bolero fue mi ruina. More soon.