ANISSA GATHERS (Celia)

Proudly hails from her Off-Broadway debut as Celia Cruz to sold out houses in New York! Originally born in Puerto Rico, Anissa ventured to New York City at the age of 17 and soon found her career in Salsa Companies throughout the New York Area, reaching thousands of people with her unique gift of Salsa dancing and singing. Naturally, Anissa was always drawn to the music of Celia Cruz and during her tenure with Mestizo Company (NY), she realized a vocal similarity to “La Reina.” After several years of performing the hits of Celia in various venues, Anissa is honored and grateful to be reprising her role and allowing the spirit, life and music of Celia to “take over” on this continued journey of remembrance in Miami.

PEDRO TELEMACO (Pedro Knight)

A native Puertorrican, Pedro is happy to return to Miami playing the part of Pedro Knight in Celia. Previous stage credits include, Dos Perdidos en una Noche Sucia, playing Tonio – Victoria Espinosa Theatre, Closer, playing Dan –Teatro Tapia, Entiendeme tu a Mi playing five different characters –Venevision International Theatre. Film: Fray Martin de Porres, El Cimarron, La Mala, Che Part 1, Private Entrance, King of the Avenue, Bala Perdida and ad Boys.

KEVIN CEBALLO (Nurse)

Accomplished Actor, Musician and Songwriter discovered by world-renowned pianist and producer Isidro Infante, and then signed to legendary label of Ralph Mercado (RMM). At the beginning of his career he had the opportunity to co-headline with Celia Cruz, India, Victor Manuel, Tito Nieves, among others. Kevin with his solo debut album “Mi Primer Amor” in 2001 won Premios Lo Nuestro’s Revelación del Año/ Best New Artist award. In 2003 he starred on Broadway in “The Look of Love” where he was the lead tenor of the Musical honoring the legendary Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Simultaneously to his Broadway debut, his second production was released “Yo Soy Ese Hombre” with the hit single “Amame o Dejame”. Kevin is currently promoting his most recent production “Renacer” featuring the hit singles “El Milagro de tu Amor” and “Por eso Te Quiero.”

DOLORES PEDRO (Mujer)

Dolores was born in Havana, Cuba. She attended the Escuela de Arte and eventually joined renowned theater troupes in the Island. In 1994 she moves to Puerto Rico where she continues to develop her craft as an actor, director, producer and theater instructor. Among her works are “Nanya y Sus Trajes Folkloricos”, “Delirio Habanero” an homage to Beni More and Celia Cruz as well as starring in the critcally acclaimed “El Cimarron”.

SEIDY CARRERA (Tia Ana / Stylist / Reporter)

A talented actress, singer and dancer born in Havana, Cuba and raised in the United States. Seidy has performed as a professional dancer in many stages around the world including Spain, and Holland. Seidy just got back from Las Vegas, Nevada where she was part of the Theatrical Musical “Havana Nights”. Her singing background includes her participation with the group “Boney M”.

LIVAN ERNESTO DOMINGUEZ (Simon / Ralph Mercado / Rogelio Martinez)

Born and raised in Havana, Cuba, Livan graduated from the Escuela de Variedades Artisticas of Cuba. Since Livan was a child, music and dance were his passions. Throughout his career he has been in important international stages in countries such as Italy, Dominican Republic, Holland and Mexico. Livan has shared the stage as a Dancer with well known artists such as Gloria Estefan, Albita Rodriguez, Milly Quesada, Jerry Rivera, Monchy & Alexandra among others. His TV credits include “Dancing with the Stars” on ABC with Gloria Estefan. Livan is currently a lead dancer and singer at Mango’s Tropical Café, a top tourist destination in South Florida.

LISETT MORALES (Ollita)

Born and raised in Havana, Cuba. Her strong and unique tone of voice, ever since she was a little girl made her father realized she was going to be a talented singer. However, it was not until 1998 when Lisett arrived to Miami that her father’s dreams came true. She had the opportunity to sing and record two albums with the Septeto “Ahi Na’Ma”. In 2002 they released the album “La Mulata del Sabor” and in 2004 “Ahi Na’Ma con la Piña Pela”. Her most recent album “No Te Confundas” is schedule to be released in the summer of 2009. Lisett makes her Off-Broadway debut as an Actress with Celia.

VILMA RODRIGUEZ RIOS (Military / Reporter)

Born and raised in Havana, Cuba and graduated from the Escuela de Variedades Artisticas of Cuba. At a young age she started her acting career at a local TV station in Cuba. Later on as a professional dancer, she was won international awards in foreign countries such as Spain, Italy, Panama and Mexico and Nationals such as the “Dance Sport Championship”. Throughout her career she has performed with artists such Olga Tañon, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Willy Colon, Albita Rodriguez and our beloved Celia Cruz. Vilma has performed for major Hispanic Televisión networks. She is currently a lead singer and dancer at Mango’s Tropical Café.

CÁNDIDO TIRADO (Playwright)

His Off Broadway productions include King Without a Castle, Checking Out, First Class which were produced at the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater; The Barber Shop was produced at Repertorio Español along with Momma’s Boyz which was also produced in El Ateneo Puertorriqueño in Puerto Rico and in the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center in San Antonio. King Without a Castle was also work shopped at Sundance Theater Lab.; Some People Have All The Luck was produced at the National Theater of the Dominican Republic. Some of his other plays are, The Kid Next Door, Hey There Black Cat, Abuelo, Fish Men, The Missing Colors of the Rainbow, The Missteps of a Salsa Dancer, Hands of Stone, When Nature Calls. He’s a four-time recipient of the New York Foundation for the Arts Playwriting Fellowship. He’s a co- founder of Educational Play Productions.

CARMEN RIVERA (Playwright)

Carmen Rivera holds an MA in Playwriting and Latin American Theatre from New York University. Off-Broadway productions include: La Gringa (currently in repertory at Repertorio Español – OBIE Award 1996); La Lupe: My Life My Destiny (2002 ACE Award – Best Production), Julia De Burgos: Child of Water, To Catch the Lightning (1997 Nomination ACE Award – Best Production); The Next Stop (INTAR / Repertorio Español); Under The Mango Tree (INTAR). Her work has appeared at Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM); La Mama E.T.C; L.E.F.T. (founding member); The Women’s Project; SOHO Rep; Martice Enterprises; Nuyorican Poet’s Café; Theatre for a New City; National Public Radio (NPR) and in theatre festivals in Bolivia, Colombia and Puerto Rico. Publications include: Positive/Negative: women of color and HIV (Aunt Lute); One Acts at The Women’s Project; Women Who Write Theater (Smith and Kraus) and Nuestro New York (Penguin USA.). She’s a co-founder of Educational Play Productions.

LEO CHAVEZ (Choreographer)

Originally from Colombia, Leo has worked extensively in life shows, Television and commercials. Among many of his achievements, Television Credits include prestigious productions such as The Latin Grammys, Premios Lo Nuestro, Premios Billboard and Premios Juventud. Throughout his career, he has choreographed numerous music videos for the most renowned Hispanic talent and has fruitfully established himself in the industry with choreographies and collaborations with Daddy Yankee, Wisin & Yandel, Missy Elliot Elliot, Ashley Simpson and Kelly Clarkson among many others. He has also taught at some of the most prestigious dance academies in South Florida. “Thank you to my family for supporting my career and for always being there for me.”

JAIME AZPILICUETA (Original NY Production Director)

Jaime Azpilicueta is one of Europe’s most distinguished theater and television directors with over 160 works including texts by Shakespeare, Goldoni, Strindberg, Miller, Brecht, Ionesco, Beckett. Azpilicueta is responsible for the Spanish language success versions of Jesus Christ Superstar (two versions), Let My People Come, Barnum, Evita, West Side Story, I Love My Life, Nunsense, Fame (Mexico and Buenos Aires), My Fair Lady, Victor Victoria, starring Latin American singer sensation Paloma San Basilio. Azpilicueta wrote and directed the Spanish adaptations of A Chorus Line and Cabaret. Mr. Azpilicueta directed the Spanish translation of the English play Move Over Mrs. Markham, which set a ticket sales record in the history of Latin American Theater with over 10 companies performing in 14 countries for over 20 years. Azpilicueta presented a Spanish version of The Way We Were at Lincoln Center, which earned him a best director award. Azpilicueta is currently directing two works by American authors Charles Ludlam and Bernard Slade. Concurrently with Celia he prepares the world premier of Cyrano de Bergerac by Lesslie Bricusse and Frank Wildhorn starring Latin American singer super-star Raphael for which he also directed the Carnegie Hall concert just this past May. He is also the writer of the new Spanish version of The Diary of Anne Frank, which is set to open February 2008 in Madrid. Jaime Azpilicueta has won countless best director awards through out Europe and Latin America.

ISIDRO INFANTE (Musical Director)

Producer of more than four hundred albums, arranger of more than five thousand chords and composer of one hundred and twenty five songs, Isidro has demonstrated his versatility in the music for more than thirty five years. The winner of 4 Grammy’s as a producer and of multiple Premios Lo Nuestro, Billboard Awards, ACE, ad Paoli Awards has worked as President of La Elite Productions, A & R Director of RMM Records. Isidro was also the President of Marcas Records and producer, arranger and pianist for Fania Records. Some of the artist Isidro has worked with include Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Hector Lavoe, La India, Willie Colon, Ruben Blades, Marc Anthony, Stevie Wonder, Lalo Rodriguez, Eddie Santiago, and Kevin Ceballo among others. Every day his name raised higher and with more resonance in the world, demonstrating the Latin talent inside the record industry and putting in a high place the name of his native island, Puerto Rico.

GIOVANNA PEREZ (Producer/ Company Manager)

Born and raised in Cartagena, Colombia. Graduated from the University of Miami in 1999 with a double major in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science. Right out of College she started working Cardenas /Fernandez & Associates as a Project Manager. Projects included the production of stages in Calle 8, Festival Presidente in the Dominican Republic, and La Maquina Musical Miller Lite US Tour. At the same time she was responsible for the logistic of tours of Artists such as Alejandro Sanz, Miguel Bose & Ana Torroja, Rocio Durcal, Ana Gabriel & Vicente Fernandez, among others. In 2004 she joined Cardenas Marketing Network (CMN) as a National Project Manager opening their first office in New York City. During this time Giovanna worked with artists such as Ana Gabriel, Carlos Vives, Marc Anthony, Juan Luis Guerra, Ricky Martin, Luis Miguel, Mana, and Juanes among others.

HENRY CÁRDENAS (Executive Producer)

Henry Cardenas is the Executive Producer of “CELIA.” He founded Cardenas Marketing Network, Inc., a Chicago-based event marketing and sponsorship agency, in 2004 and is the company’s CEO. Cardenas oversees all business and financial developments for the company while maintaining strong relationships with clients. Prior to launching CMN, Cardenas served for more than 18 years as President / CEO of Cardenas/Fernandez & Associates (CFA). During his tenure there, he was instrumental in making CFA the largest Hispanic production company of sports, music, and other live entertainment events in the U.S. and the Caribbean. Celia will mark Cardenas’ second theatrical endeavor following 1999’s critically acclaimed musical, ¿Quién Mató a Héctor Lavoe? (Who Killed Héctor Lavoe). The Off-Broadway show was a huge success, receiving rave reviews by some of the most prestigious media outlets including The New York Times, The New York Daily News, NBC, and NY1.

GERRY FOJO (Executive Producer)

Gerry Fojo is currently the VP of Touring for CMN. With over 20 years of experience in the Latin Entertainment field in all areas of the industry. The once Director of Finance at the James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida and formerly employed at Cardenas/Fernandez & Associates, has successfully developed the Booking & Touring division for CMN He also headed the most ambitious music/mobile marketing tour ever in the United States– “Maquina Musical Miller Lite”, which ran for a period of 4 years consecutively. Alongside with Henry Cardenas, Gerry is also the Executive Producer of “CELIA”, which initially opened Off Broadway in NY in 2007.

Gerry has also worked with major artists, in National tours such as Juanes, Ricky Martin, Mana, Chayanne, Ana Gabriel, Juan Gabriel, Marco Antonio Solis and Luis Miguel among others.