Celia Cruz, la reina de la salsa, was incomparable. Her presence and voice helped catapult the new form of music to the global stage. She was the most powerful female vocalist in the genre. That’s why we’re psyched to see a quality series being produced about the icon’s life. What’s being promoted as a big budget “docu-drama” on Telemundo is even being pushed to English language audiences. It’s set to debut on October 13th and has already gotten a ton of buzz. Show directors Victor Mallarino and Liliana Bocanegra took the opportunity to shine a light on her life pre-fame and what brought about her rise to global stardom. Need any more reason to tune-in? Well here are five reasons why this is must see tv.
1. It’s On Telemundo
Which means, it will more likely be handled with authenticity. Also, having a scripted series on a network best known for telenovelas means that the tides are changing and Spanish language television can be more. It also means that we’re taking ownership of our icons of every race and color. Imagine if another network tried to do this? Or do it in English? We shudder at the thought.
2. It Shows Pedro as More Than Celia’s Husband
A strong musician in his own right, the series acknowledges Knight’s own life before he met Celia. He was a trumpeter for La Sonora Matancera, the orchestra that Celia would become lead singer of, as well as her personal manager.
3. It’s Got Seasoned Actors
Boricuas Jeimy Osorio and Modesto Lacén, who play Celia and her husband Pedro Knight in their youth, are vets. Osorio has been on the telenovela circuit not to mention American film for year (Fast Five and Maid in Manhattan). Lacén gave this role life once before. He co-starred in the theatrical production “The Life and Music of Celia Cruz” that ran for nearly two years.
4. It Doesn’t Shy Away from the Big Issues
Celia came to fame in pre-revolutionary Cuba as the lead singer of La Sonora Matancera, a mostly black orchestra. The music and entertainment scene at that time was not only male dominated but mostly white as well. Telemundo didn’t shy away from the racism or sexism that Celia faced on her way to the top.
5. It’s Simply About Time
Ritchie Valens famously got the biopic treatment in the form of La Bamba, as did Selena, yet an artist with the longevity and track record of Celia Cruz remained absent from having a biopic made about her. Although there have been several documentaries made about Celia (at last count there were four) this is the first dramatic piece of art made about her life. And it isn’t just a musical but a drama that focuses on various parts of her life as she made her way from a shy student to radio contestant to salsera. All we can say is…well it’s about time.
