March 2012
2 posts
February 2012
4 posts
October 2011
2 posts
Fame in Macau!
What’s crackin??
This wandering actor life has now taken me to lovely Macau, a territory that is a short ferry ride from Hong Kong, China. I’m playing Joe Vegas in a production of Fame. We’re a part of the Macau International Music Festival so it’s really an honor to be part of something so prestigious.
The cast is amazing and we’re being led by an excellent...
June 2011
2 posts
inked.
I did it folks. I got a tattoo. My first one. Popped that tat cherry.
Did it hurt? A little. I absolutely had a freakout a few hours later when I realized that it would be on my skin forever. That quickly subsided when I realized that I’m cool with having a Taino Coqui on my back. It reminds me of my culture. It sings sweet lullabies (as I often try to do). I dig it.
February 2011
1 post
Que linda la gente Boricua...
The In the Heights journey has taken me to a place I never thought I’d go: Puerto Rico. Let me clarify, I’ve been to Puerto Rico before. My parents were born and raised there and we have often taken family vacations to the isla del encanto. But now, as a big kid, I always knew I’d go back… but not like this.
We would usually go in August, when my brothers and I had...
December 2010
1 post
September 2010
1 post
Sunrise
There is something about a sunrise that transports you. The anticipation of the revelation. The magic moment just when that fiery orb peeks over the horizon and sheds light on the dark world, casting large, grotesque, and fantastical shapes and shadows.
I went to Japan. And it was wonderful. Really. I am incredibly grateful and humbled at the opportunity to travel and do what I love. The...
August 2010
2 posts
Excuse me, sir, can you take off those shoes?
Great story:
In In the Heights we wear some pretty sick kicks. Nike, Puma, Coach, Tiger. Yeah, that’s right. They are better than any shoes I’ve ever had the money to afford. I used to beg for the Fila Grant Hill’s, but in true we-ain’t-rich fashion, I was forced to get whatever was on sale at Marshalls. These shoes are the envy of many an audience member, so much so...
oh Tijuana
During our stop in San Diego, I discovered that Mexico was a mere 30 min away. Sweet. I love Mexicans. As a Puerto Rican I am often assumed to be Mexican. No, my mother doesn’t have a great tortilla recipe, dumbass. So, a few of the cast members and I went down to Tijuana.
Tijuana is the place where people go to engage in all forms of debauchery. There are pharmacies on every corner...
July 2010
6 posts
first you "put in" then you PUT OUT!
AH!! It happened. What an amazing opening night… I mean… opening afternoon! After 5 weeks of rehearsal, I performed in the July 24th matinee performance of In the Heights at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles. Pretty ridiculous.
Allow me to explain the events of the previous day:
On Friday, we had what’s called a “put in.” Sounds dirty. And it is. I’m...
anybody want my autograph?... anybody?... no...
Remember 1982? Great, because I wasn’t even a fetus yet. But some older folks were alive way back then and decided to make a movie about it. I was in it. It is called BoyBand (formerly called We Got the Beat) and it was produced and filmed right in picturesque Worcester, MA.
It premiered in a few theaters in Massachusetts in June, but unfortunately I couldn’t make it to the...
...like a drunk Chita Rivera
Those who know me, know that “dancer” is not under my list of special skills. Don’t get me wrong, I’m the first one to throw it down in the club; bump, grind, generally gyrate. No problem. The second I am forced to do something specific, it’s like my brain implodes.
I consider myself a pretty smart guy. I wented to college. I gradiated with honors. I’m...
June 2010
10 posts
One of the funniest things I've read in a long... →
Is this real life?
That is the question I am constantly having to ask myself during this experience. Here’s why…
Yesterday the Mayor of LA invited the cast to his mansion for cocktails and hors d’oeveres. I was unaware of this, but apparently Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa isn’t very liked in the city. He loves a photo op and is more concerned with his image than with dealing with some of...
Opening Night!
Hey Friends!
June 23rd was the official LA opening of In the Heights. It was surreal to be a part of. Since I’m still in rehearsal for my track, the night had all the excitement of “opening night” without any of the pressure of having to perform. Pretty sweet. There was a buzz of energy in the room that felt like electricity. I had a great seats and was treated to one of the...
The journey begins!
Hey peeps! I’m in LA. Yay! After a flight stranded behind an adorable crying baby and an Asian man next to me who had no idea what the concept of “personal space” was, I arrived in LAX, excited, tired and ready for whatever comes my way.
My first encounter with a real LA automatron was a seemingly friendly man outside the airport. I had just picked up my bags from baggage...
downsizing
I had to consolidate my life into 2 suitcases. I’m going on tour for a while and according to my contract, I am only allowed to bring 2 suitcases. I could bring more baggage, but I’d have to pay for it. My ass is broke, so there is no way I’m going to willingly pay more money. I figured this would be a good way to assess my belongings and “trim the fat.” ...
Greetings to my internet mind- intermind-...
I’m starting a blog. Why? Because I’m really smart and talented and the things I say are really important and you know you’re wondering what I’m thinking about ALL THE TIME and I’m pretty much the Puerto Rican Dr. Phil so LISTEN UP and take notes!
In exactly one week, I will be boarding a flight from Boston, MA en route to Los Angeles. Por que? To join the...
