Dori's World in Entertainment ~ El Mundo de Dori en Entretenimiento: December 2017

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Sunday, December 17, 2017

Latinos take over YouTube’s 2017 top music videos list

Can you guess who is #1 on YouTube’s top music videos list this year? Which video is your favorite?

Here is the run-down:

10. Enrique Iglesias - “Súbeme la Radio” (Official Video) featuring Descemer Bueno, Zion & Lennox

9. DJ Khaled - “I’m the One” featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, Lil Wayne

8. Jason Derulo - “Swalla” featuring Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign)” (Official Music Video)

7. Nicky Jam - “El Amante” (Video Oficial) (Álbum Fénix)

6. Chris Jeday - “Ahora Dice” (Official Video) featuring J. Balvin, Ozuna, Arcángel

5. Bruno Mars - “That’s What I Like” (Official Video)

4. Maluma - “Felices los 4” (Official Video)

3. J Balvin, Willy William - “Mi Gente” (Official Video)

2. Ed Sheeran - “Shape of You” (Official Video)

1. Luis Fonsi - “Despacito” featuring Daddy Yankee”

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Puerto Rico's Ana Isabelle takes on a starring role in the latest sold out musical 'Evita'

The Puerto Rican singer, model, and actress Ana Isabelle has taken a slightly different leap in the last few months. Being away from her homeland after the devastation of Hurricane Maria, Ana Isabelle has taken on the leading role in the latest musical “Evita” choreographed and directed by Josh Rhodes.

“Evita” has been running since November 14 at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, Florida with previews before it’s actual kick off November 18. It has been nonstop for Ana Isabelle, along with the 29 cast members, and the 12 piece orchestra. The phenomenal success has led to sold out shows for the entire run of the production with the close out on December 30.

“Evita” winner of seven Tony Awards, including best musical and best score, chronicles the electric rise and fall of Eva Peron, who used her beauty and charisma to climb from her poverty-stricken roots on the outskirts of Buenos Aires to become the powerful and polarizing First Lady of Argentina at the age of 27.

“The most incredible part of this process has been finding the talent,” said Josh Rhodes. “The score is extremely demanding and the scale of this production needs endless charisma from the actors – and this cast has enough talent and electrifying charisma to set the stage on fire. At its core, ‘Evita’ tells the story of high ambition and the price we pay to climb closer to the light. With the musical’s design team, we have created a production that heightens the towering myth of an ambitious and passionate woman, while still allowing history and story to shine through.”

“The production is one of the largest in Asolo Repertory’s history,” as stated by Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards. “I could not be prouder of the diverse, talented, world class company of actors and artists we’ve assembled to bring this musical to life. With a creative team helmed by Broadway’s brilliant Josh Rhodes and a cast led by triple threat Ana Isabelle, who fully embodies the passion of ‘Evita’ on and off stage, we are thrilled to present a brand new production of this profoundly pertinent and moving musical.”

Ana Isabelle’s first appearance as Eva Peron - lowered onto the stage dressed in white after the casts mourning of Eva Peron - was the sign of a superb and jaw dropping presentation until the end. An act that helped Ana Isabelle overcome her fears of heights. It was one of the scenes that she enjoyed the most in “Evita” - going up 30 feet in the air. “When I first did it, it was a real challenge since I am afraid of heights... But I always like to confront my fears and conquer them.... it’s the only way we grow and experience the best things in life!!! Now, I just have tons of fun feeling like a “cirque d’ soleil acrobat” in a very beautiful image to represent the spirit of Eva Peron,” wrote Ana Isabelle on her Facebook page.

Photo by Cliff Rholes

This version of “Evita” has a nice twist. Josh Rhodes has added more dance, more choreography, and a more vulnerable point of view as Ana Isabelle pointed out in an interview with Telemundo. Her acting and vocals were impeccable, she pours her heart and soul into every scene. And notably, the entire cast was just as phenomenal - the dancing, the singing, the lighting. It was a surreal experience to watch and be a part of.

Just before taking on the leading role in “Evita”, Ana Isabelle shot to stardom as the winner of the popular Univision musical reality show “Viva el Sueño,” when more than 30 million viewers voted to crown her the next Latin music superstar. She had performed to sold-out stadiums throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, including Madison Square Garden. She has released three highly successful albums, including Mi Sueño, which debuted #3 on Billboard Top Latin Chart. Duets with Plácido Domingo, José Feliciano, Luis Fonsí, Gilberto Santa Rosa, and recently collaborated with compatriot pop singer Tito El Bambino. Feature film roles include the upcoming “Imprisoned,” starring Laurence Fishburne, and the remake of Francis Ford Coppola's “Dementia 13” among others.

Her Off-Broadway credits include the musical “I Like it Like That” with the Pavarotti of salsa music artist Tito Nieves. As the first Latina artist, Ana starred with Chazz Palminteri in the TNT opening of NBA All Star Games. In addition, she was named Best New Artist at “Premios Texas” and nominated as Best New Artist in “Premios Lo Nuestro.”

“La vida es bella, como dice unas de mis canciones y dándole gracias a Dios por cada segundo porque me está haciendo mi sueño una realidad” (Life is beautiful, as one of my songs states and giving thanks to God for each second because He's making my dream a reality) - Ana Isabelle.

Felicidades Ana Isabelle, you make your island and all the Latinos prouder.