This Wednesday, July 21, Mauricio Martínez returns live to Feinstein’s/54 Below with a brand new show, Mauricio Martínez: Back to the 54and Street. The New York-based Mexican-born International Emmy winner (for the NBC television show Universo The Vato) and Broadway star On your feet! (reviving his role as Emilio Estefan in the musical’s subsequent national tour) was most recently seen in the Paper Mill Playhouse production of Unmasked: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber before the pandemic closure of performance halls.
A well-known name in Latin America as the leader of Mexican Disney productions The beauty and the Beast, Saturday night fever, Jesus Christ Superstar, The sleepy chaperone, Sweet Charity, The last five yearsand A view from the bridgeMartínez will present a musical journey through his life, loves and career, interspersing his song selections with personal memories and anecdotes.
Mau, who presented his solo show From Mexico City to Broadway at the iconic nightclub in 2018, told me he felt “so excited to be back on stage after sixteen months of hibernation” and gave me a glimpse of what to expect when of the next cabaret concert. The set list will feature new material, including covers of pop favorites from Adele, Barbra, George Michael, Tina Turner and Selena, plus hits “from Broadway, of course!” There will also be a tribute, with an arrangement by dear friend and frequent collaborator Jaime Lozano (whom Mau affectionately calls “my brother”), to beloved stage and film star Doreen Montalvo (On your feet!; In the heights; Mrs. Doubtfire), died prematurely on October 17, 2020, at the age of 56, following a stroke.
Accompanied by musical director Brian Nash on piano, Eleanor Norton (who played with The Dear Show and plays regularly for Alan Cumming) on cello, Jerome Jennings (head of Juilliard’s jazz department) on drums, Michael Blanco (who plays with Society and tours with Aaron Tveit) on bass, and Craig Magnano (of the Broadway Orchestra of Red Mill!) on guitar, Mau will also be joined on stage by special guests Michael Longoria (Boys jersey) and Claudia Mulet (On your feet!), who will perform duets with him. The evening promises to be filled with beautiful music, love and the joy of live performance.
Mauricio Martínez: Back to the 54and Street plays Wednesday, July 21, starting at 7 p.m., at Feinstein’s/54 Below, 254 West 54and Street, Cellar, NYC. Doors open at 5:30 a.m.; proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required to enter the club and will be checked at the door. For tickets, go in line, or call the box office at (646) 476-3551. In addition to the ticket price, the club has a food and beverage minimum of $25 per person.
