The Teatro Latino on 110th and 5th Avenue was the fourth or fifth “Spanish” vaudeville-type theater within that space and didn’t last very long. Prior to its emergence as the Teatro Variedades, it officially launched in 1931 as a “Spanish Theater” under the name of Teatro San Jose. It was launched by an Afro-Cuban gentleman named Jose A. Miranda, who then hired Fernando Luis to be its creative or artistic director. As a theatrical impresario, Miranda goes back to the original and smaller Apollo Theater that was housed within the old Harlem Opera House on 125th St. that was then owned by William Minsky.
The Puerto Rican bombshell, Diosa Costello, launched her career at Teatro San Jose.
Pretty much everyone from the earliest stages of Latin American popular music who was based in the U.S. came through this theater, under its variety of incarnations throughout 1931-1940. Bobby Capo, Ruth Fernandez, Eliseo Grenet, Pedro Flores, Cuarteto Marcano, Augusto Coen, Pedro Via, Eduardo Brito, Noro Morales, Frank “Machito” Grillo, Pilar Arcos, Davilita, etc.
A photo from the NYPL demonstrates that, at some point in the 1930s, the theater was known as “Teatro Borinquen.” (Based on the marquee within the image.) Strangely enough, no advertisements exist for this particular operation. It seems to have been between the Teatro Variedades and Teatro Latino periods. Mid to late 1930s. I also can’t seem to find it cited anywhere.
If anyone is hip to this particular theater (“Borinquen”) that was sandwiched briefly between the time it was known as “Variedades” and when it was “Latino,” please share.
The official grand opening of the “Latino” Theatre was on Sept, 8th, 1966. The “new” proprietors were Willy Chevalier, a comedian and veteran Master of Ceremonies since the 1940s within the Spanish Theater circuit local to NYC, and another gentleman whose name escapes me. Willy had first introduced “Latino” style vaudeville to the space in 1947 when it was known as the Triboro Theater. He had attempted to purchase it in the early 1950s and call it “Teatro Santurce” (after a town in Puerto Rico) but apparently was unable to come up with the bread. By 1965, the Triboro ceased showing films and closed for business in early ‘66. It lay dormant until Chevalier and his partner leased the space in the late summer of that year.
Unfortunately for the new ownership, theatrical vaudeville/live entertainment had by then been replaced by the discoteque as the venue of choice for nightlife consumers. Their type of artistry they sought out and booked was with an older generation in mind and they simply did not respond in support. Teatro Latino/Latino Theater lasted only two years. They closed in ‘68.
Thank you so much Al!
Awesome!
The Teatro Latino on 110th and 5th Avenue was the fourth or fifth “Spanish” vaudeville-type theater within that space and didn’t last very long. Prior to its emergence as the Teatro Variedades, it officially launched in 1931 as a “Spanish Theater” under the name of Teatro San Jose. It was launched by an Afro-Cuban gentleman named Jose A. Miranda, who then hired Fernando Luis to be its creative or artistic director. As a theatrical impresario, Miranda goes back to the original and smaller Apollo Theater that was housed within the old Harlem Opera House on 125th St. that was then owned by William Minsky.
The Puerto Rican bombshell, Diosa Costello, launched her career at Teatro San Jose.
Pretty much everyone from the earliest stages of Latin American popular music who was based in the U.S. came through this theater, under its variety of incarnations throughout 1931-1940. Bobby Capo, Ruth Fernandez, Eliseo Grenet, Pedro Flores, Cuarteto Marcano, Augusto Coen, Pedro Via, Eduardo Brito, Noro Morales, Frank “Machito” Grillo, Pilar Arcos, Davilita, etc.
A photo from the NYPL demonstrates that, at some point in the 1930s, the theater was known as “Teatro Borinquen.” (Based on the marquee within the image.) Strangely enough, no advertisements exist for this particular operation. It seems to have been between the Teatro Variedades and Teatro Latino periods. Mid to late 1930s. I also can’t seem to find it cited anywhere.
If anyone is hip to this particular theater (“Borinquen”) that was sandwiched briefly between the time it was known as “Variedades” and when it was “Latino,” please share.
Hey guys,
The official grand opening of the “Latino” Theatre was on Sept, 8th, 1966. The “new” proprietors were Willy Chevalier, a comedian and veteran Master of Ceremonies since the 1940s within the Spanish Theater circuit local to NYC, and another gentleman whose name escapes me. Willy had first introduced “Latino” style vaudeville to the space in 1947 when it was known as the Triboro Theater. He had attempted to purchase it in the early 1950s and call it “Teatro Santurce” (after a town in Puerto Rico) but apparently was unable to come up with the bread. By 1965, the Triboro ceased showing films and closed for business in early ‘66. It lay dormant until Chevalier and his partner leased the space in the late summer of that year.
Unfortunately for the new ownership, theatrical vaudeville/live entertainment had by then been replaced by the discoteque as the venue of choice for nightlife consumers. Their type of artistry they sought out and booked was with an older generation in mind and they simply did not respond in support. Teatro Latino/Latino Theater lasted only two years. They closed in ‘68.