Migue - Salsa Theatrical Play in Florida
Posted on February 21st, 2009 by Allan Tabilas
In late April in Florida, Migue, a salsa theatrical play will make its debut. A product of Efrain “Millo” Aldea, founder of salsa portal SalsaDynasty.com, Millo is looking to take salsa to the next level. No stranger to creative works, Millo produced the Salsa Dancing Reality Show, a documentary on iTunes that followed (Orlando’s) Salsa Heat student team led by Julissa Cruz and the late Andrés Echevarría. Millo also produced the entertaining skits on Salsadynasty TV, including Salsa Vibrance, Salsa Confessions, Nacho Cheese, Salsa Slaves, and Lead Me Bitch Stick (these videos include collaborations with Judy Armstrong, Josh Cook, Jai Catalano, Salsadynasty correspondent “White Gold”, and Island Touch Dance’s Jorge Burgos and Tanja Kensinger). Migue features a talented cast of dancers and non-dancers who are throwing their hats into the acting ring, to help tell the story of Migue, an aspiring dancer and instructor. Acclaimed dancer Julissa Cruz is the lead choreographer for the play. We thank Millo for taking the time to answer a few questions regarding Migue.
Nuevotec: What is the story of Migue?
Millo: Migue is a play that tells a story of a young man by the name of Miguel Angel. Miguel Angel is a passionate self taught salsa dancer not knowing any style of salsa. His goal in life is to change people’s lives by showing salsa to the world, but in order to do that he will have to confront some of the hardest things in life.
Nuevotec: Have you written any other pieces of drama?
Millo: I work for a company that specializes in the art of storytelling. We believe “Everything starts with story”. I work with the best storytellers of Orlando, Florida. Storytelling has a very intricate process. Those who don’t follow it, suck at telling stories. And yes, we write stories daily in this building. From movies, to skits, to books and many many other things.
Nuevotec: Who are the cast members?
Millo: Ben Cartagena plays “Migue”. Ben owns the Salsa Synergy Dance Team and placed 8th in the team division of the World Salsa Championships. (He is) Clearly one of the best salsa dancers in all Florida. Shakira Taveras plays “Melissa”. Shakira is gorgeous and trained salsa with Eric Baez, a former Eddie Torres dancer. Judy Armstrong plays “Diana”, Migue Angel’s mom. Judy is known in the salsa community as “Salsera54″. Whomever does not know her, should meet her. Beautiful human being! Alexis Rodriguez plays “Tavio”, Migue’s father. Alexis’ acting skills are something out of a movie. Nelson Omar Rivera plays “Juan”, the narrator. Omar and I are co-workers and have began to be very good friends.
Our performers not only do they dance, they also act. Jessica Alicea, placed 8th in the team division of the World Salsa Championships. (Others include) Adriana García, (Salsa Heat Pro Team), Ximena Aldea, my lovely wife, Kenneth Frye (Salsa Heat Pro Team), Ben Lopez, known as ICEMAN in the salsa community, Elías Lopez, former Apprentice of Andrés Echevarría. I think everyone will be impressed NOT ONLY by the level of dancing but by the level of acting in every single cast member.
Nuevotec: When and where are the shows?
Millo: Migue will exhibit Friday, April 24th and Saturday, April 25th at the Garden Theatre on 160 West Plant Street Winter Garden, FL. 34787
Nuevotec: How did the idea come about? What inspired you, say personal events? The synopsis says Migue’s story is one of overcoming prejudice, learning to believe in himself and going on to change the lives of others.
Millo: Years ago my friend Jose Luis from Salsa Karibe and I had a vision of making a theatrical play. We always just talked about it, never really committed ourselves to anything. Everything starts with a dream, but I was not ready to make that dream real yet. Years passed by and I got involved in many other things. Things such as opening a video production company, devote time to the company I work for and SalsaDynasty.com.After many years in the salsa community I decided to challenge myself one more time. For those who know me, they can tell you some of the things I’ve contributed to this movement. This “challenge” had to be something bigger than me. In order to make a dream real, you have to find your “why”. I’ve always wanted to do something to give our dancers some REAL exposure. Something that will give them the spotlight of a lifetime.
See, I love salsa, I truly do, for many reasons, but there are always things that you hate from the things you love. And I HATE the salsa dancing business. I believe NO ONE has yet to praise the hard work our dancers go through. Since they love this dance, they dance for free and people take advantage of that and never pay them. I’ve found a business that really helps people and has gotten me closer to God.This business has replaced any ambition for fortune and fame I have ever had, and before I leave salsa as a business, I wanted to SERVE dancers one more time. I wanted them to know that I always believed. I always worked hard towards new heights for the dancers. That’s where I found my “why”.
The dream was not clear until I found that the real reason for doing this play is to help THEM reach the next artistic level. Look at what they can do! This will be my last contribution to the salsa community and if someone should ever speak, I would want them to know that this project had nothing to do about ME. I didn’t even want to put my name on it to make sure people understood. This project is to let Julissa Cruz, Judy Armstrong, Ben Cartagena and the rest, that they are important. So important that they deserve the highest level of exposure. And this is the best way I can give it to them. I know this IS the most beautiful thing I’ve ever done in my life. I’m spending bags of money to make this happen and I do not expect one cent back nor I want anyone to remember me by this. Wanting people to remember me with this, cheats the reason I am doing this. My friends are my reasons, my friends, the people that walked with me when salsa was the biggest joy in my life. This was my inspiration to writing this.For tickets and information visit www.MigueOnStage.com. Only 299 seats, buy before we run out. Thanks to NuevoTec for the exposure. If I know something, I know that you guys are and will be the most popular, visited online community for salsa dancers in the world. Congratulations in all your success!
Tags: , Ben Cartagena, Julissa Cruz, Migue, Millo Aldea, Salsa Heat, Salsadynasty
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