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216:, and the advent of air travel. The Great Depression which spread throughout the world was also felt in Puerto Rico. Since the island's economy had been made dependent on that of the United States, the U.S. economic crisis was felt on the island, as well. Unemployment rose steeply and, consequently, many families fled to the U.S. mainland in search of jobs.
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and began presenting
Hispanic stage shows that attracted patronage from all over the Greater New York area. It was not just the main concert spot for Latino performers in New York, attracting stars from all parts of Latin America, it was one of the few places where Puerto Rican families from all over
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Like other newcomers before them, the Bronx's newly arrived
Latinos converted existing theaters for their own use. The South Bronx became a hub for Puerto Rican music. Theaters which served previous groups of immigrants, such as the Irish and the Italians, to stage their dramatic works or vaudeville
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shows and later movies, first for the German immigrant families who lived in the area and then for the Irish and
Italian families who came after them. The Forum Theater, which was owned by the Ansel family, struggled to survive and compete with the arrival of the larger modern movie theaters such as
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presented live wrestling matches; however, attendance at the Teatro Puerto Rico continued to drop and it closed its doors in the late 1970s. Mr. James
Sanchez, a real estate developer, invested $ 1.2 million and in 1987, after two years of renovations, Teatro Puerto Rico opened its doors once again
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The advent of air travel provided Puerto Ricans with an affordable and faster way of travel to New York. A common denominator amongst all the migrants was their desire for a better way of life than was available in Puerto Rico. Although each one held personal reasons for migrating, the decision was
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During the 1960s, the growing Puerto Rican and Latino population was entertained not only by the performances of musicians from Puerto Rico and Cuba, but also from the local Bronx's burgeoning second generation Latino
American musicians whose music and styles were influenced by the local nation
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The outbreak of World War II opened the doors to many of the migrants who were searching for jobs. Since a large portion of the male population of the U.S. was sent to war, there was a sudden need of manpower to fulfill the jobs left behind. Puerto Ricans, both male and female, found themselves
551:. Six months later the Teatro finally closed its doors indefinitely after the senator failed to pay its rent. As a consequence, the senator was evicted and pleaded guilty to using false information to win a $ 95,000 state grant, which was supposed to pay the
567:). Which has converted a portion of the theater into a television and radio station. The legacy of the Teatro Puerto Rico continues to live on at the church, which presents Latin gospel music, with full jazz bands on its stage on Sundays.
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employed in factories and ship docks, producing both domestic and warfare goods. The new migrants gained the knowledge and working skills which in the future would serve them well. The military also provided a steady source of income.
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section of the Bronx, the theater was built in 1917. It opened its doors in
February 1923, under the name of the Forum Theater. The theater, which had 2,300 seats, was a popular gathering spot which provided
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as a performing arts center for the
Hispanic community. The auditorium was divided into three sections, two for "live" performances and one for showing the latest Hollywood movies with Spanish subtitles.
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was contracted to bring
Mexican entertainers and cinema celebrities who were shown in the movies. Among those who were contracted for comedy skits or to talk about their lives and careers were
396:) a week with a featured star attraction, attracting patronage from non-Puerto Rican Latinos all over the Greater New York area. As a consequence, Carlos Montalban, the older brother of actor
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and his troupe traveled to New York City to perform before the Puerto Rican community and for three weeks Rivero and his show "El
Tremendo Hotel" held sell out performances at the teatro.
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Teatro Puerto Rico marquee, promoting "Almas del
Infierno," starring William Valentin Rico and Carla Pinza, directed by Anthony Felton, and released in 1966.
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Katzman, Martin T. (July 3, 2006). "Discrimination, Subculture, and the Economic Performance of Negroes, Puerto Ricans, and Mexican-Americans".
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249:(Puerto Rican shaved ice vendors) in every corner. It is estimated that from 1946 to 1950 there were 31,000 Puerto Rican migrants in New York.
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After the scandal the owner decided to put the building up for sale. Teatro Puerto Rico was sold, to "Iglesia Universal del Reino de Dios" (
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directed by the theater's MC, in which parents were encouraged to bring their children as participants. In the winter of 1953,
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style shows, now served the growing Puerto Rican population with musical performances from musicians throughout the island.
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Three factors contributed and led to what became known as "The Great Puerto Rican Migration" to New York. These were the
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generally rooted in the island's impoverished conditions, as well as the public policies that sanctioned migration.
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also known as "Tin Tan". Among the international singers and actresses who headlined at the teatro were
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also gained fame as a singer after the group traveled and played throughout the United States.
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could no longer compete with larger theaters in contracting performers. For a brief period the
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The Teatro Puerto Rico soon began to feature one or two Spanish-language films (primarily
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In 1948, the Forum Theater (briefly named the Brook Theater) was renamed
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Located at 490 East 138th Street, at the corner of Brook Avenue in the
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and his band and from trios such as Trio Los Duques, Trio Borincano,
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In 1996 the owner rented the theater to New York State Senator
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In the late 1960s, the neighborhood went into decline and the
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667:"Salsa and Heartthrobs: A Palace of Hispanic Life Returns"
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Trio Los Duques performing at Teatro Puerto Rico in 1955
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New York City could gather to celebrate their culture.
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Restoring Hispanic Theater in the Bronx-New York Times
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Kehoe, T. J.; Prescott, E. C., eds. (July 2, 2007).
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Among those who entertained the crowds with their "
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265:Puerto Rican music flourished with the likes of
365:also presented a children's talent show called
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298:Juan Sotomayor, Filo Del Moral and Vitin Pagán
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743:Singer, Roberta L.; MartĂnez, Elena (2004).
831:American Journal of Economics and Sociology
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334:, and Vegabajeño were often seen. Shows by
318:, JesĂşs Sanchez "Chuito de Bayamon" Erazo,
988:1996 disestablishments in New York (state)
887:Montalbán, Carlos J. (December 17, 1953).
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767:Great Depressions of the Twentieth Century
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665:Verhovek, Sam Howe (September 28, 1987).
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204:"The Great Puerto Rican Migration"
18:Former music hall in New York City
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350:"El Nino Prodigio de Guayama".
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33:Teatro Puerto Rico in the 1950s
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342:, whose family moved from
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555:$ 10,000-per-month rent.
532:performed at the Teatro.
410:Mario "Cantinflas" Moreno
400:, who had connections in
385:MC Joaquin Santiago with
336:Felipe "La Voz" RodrĂguez
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813:August 10, 2009, at the
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357:season, shows featuring
599:New York (state) portal
79:40.807801°N 73.919209°W
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963:Theatres in the Bronx
635:List of Puerto Ricans
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178:Historical background
84:40.807801; -73.919209
613:New York City portal
553:Teatro Puerto Rico's
480:, Vicentico Valdés,
371:RamĂłn "Diplo" Rivero
253:"Teatro Puerto Rico"
233:in the South Bronx,
154:neighborhood of the
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946:The New York Times
933:Places that Matter
865:The New York Times
695:Harris, Warren G.
585:Puerto Rico portal
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361:were offered. The
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304:Teatro Puerto Rico
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978:Mott Haven, Bronx
791:"Palante History"
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398:Ricardo Montalbán
273:, who formed the
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156:South Bronx
82: /
57:Coordinates
957:Categories
776:0978936000
754:(16): 5–6.
641:References
326:. Acts by
246:piragueros
189:vaudeville
184:Mott Haven
168:vaudeville
152:Mott Haven
144:music hall
70:73°55′09″W
67:40°48′28″N
434:Argentina
402:Hollywood
355:Christmas
811:Archived
571:See also
522:Joe Loco
445:Musicals
442:Broadway
112:Capacity
43:Location
494:Charlie
486:Machito
453:" and "
394:Mexican
312:Cuatros
240:bodegas
230:barrios
150:in the
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537:Teatro
363:Teatro
194:Loew's
142:was a
129:Closed
121:Opened
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116:2,300
95:Owner
771:ISBN
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132:1996
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