See it if:
You're Latino or want to be,understand some Spanish & enjoy supporting young actors & companies that add to the ethnic cultural fabric of NY.
Don't see it if:
You don't understand Spanish, don't like Hip Hop or Rap, bomba, bachata or Reggaeton — or need any or all of those explained to you.
La Canción is an honest & earnest bit of aspirational musical theatre. At 2 hours and 40 minutes, it’s way too long, and dramatically leans too much towards Telenovela melodrama. Musically, it runs the gamut of contemporary urban Latin, the accent here more on rhythm than on melody, so the songs are less memorable than they might be.
Like the show itself, the cast is likable but uneven, and stronger singers might have served the score better. That said, all performed with committed focus and presence, getting across the natural humor found across the Latinaje or “Latin-ness” of the Latino culture.
Standouts were Zulema Clares, funny and accurate as everyone’s Abuela in the Bronx; Diana Pou as Rafa's no-nonsense girlfriend Angie; and, most especially, Flaco Navaja, playing several parts but most notably Poco Loco, the charmingly crazed street vendor whose philosophical rants, and discussions with his beautiful imaginary girlfriend were hysterically funny and utterly convincing.
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