Venezuela's Migguel Anggelo Teams Up with Director David Drake, Releases 'La Casa Azul' [EXCLUSIVE]
If you could bottle the charisma and the talent of Venezuelan-born singer, dancer, artist and storyteller Migguel Anggelo, you'd get a taste of what it's like to open your senses, relish in the beauty of your surroundings, and most importantly, have a no-holds-barred approach towards sharing your craft with the world.
Sounds pretty good, right? Well, it's Anggelo's approach and it's life's philosophy as an artist who has stayed true to the artist within; never conforming, but constantly creating and evolving.
On April 20, Anggelo shared his magic once again as he lit up the stage at Joe's Pub in New York City (following three soldâout performances in May, September and December) with his powerful storytelling of his journey from life "as an immigrant and dreamer traveling around the world, until he finds himself in New York City," which he now calls home.
"I have lived in many countries in my lifetime, and for the first time, the show we premiered last night at Joe's Pub deals with being an immigrant head-on," Anggelo told Latin Post. "This new production addresses the subjects of home, safety, happiness, language, and heritage; which are universal themes to all and are presented with humor, beauty, and seriousness in equal measure. Come see us again at Joe's Pub on June 23 to see how the show evolves."
With two new harmonious back-up singers, Michelle Walter Palmieri and Britney Coleman and a talented new guitarist, Tim Basom added to an already stellar ensemble, which includes Jake Goldbas (drums), James Quinlan (bass), Anggelo returned to the worldâclass venue and showcased his talents under the new direction of awardâwinning Director David Drake.
The performance included a mixture of original compositions including "Inmigrantes", "La Casa Azul", and "Libre" as well as interpretations of Latin, folk, pop, and opera works.
"One of the most inspiring aspects of directing and shaping Migguel's new show has been giving theatrical life to his very personal story from Venezuela to America," Drake said. "Through that kind of unique Magic Realism which seems to course through his South American blood, I've found that Migguel's immigrant journey is utterly universal. Indeed, the quest for safety, love, and freedom of expression is at the heart of all of our stories."
Drake is best known as the creator of "The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me," one of the longestârunning solo shows in New York theater history for which he won an Obie Award.
The evening's performance also celebrated the April 21 release of Anggelo's latest album, "La Casa Azul," produced by Mau Quiros and mixed by Grammy winner Felipe Tichauer. The album has received rave reviews, including one stating that it's "a masterpiece of enormous artistic and intellectual quality" by El Molino.
On the album, there is a collection of 12 songs that explores everything from the life of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo to commentary on the hypocrisy of the world's dictators. "Lyrically filled with metaphors and references to art, culture and poetry, the album reflects the depth of thought he has invested in his craft."
The multi-faceted Anggelo, who grew up surrounded by the arts and listening to Luciano Pavarotti, studied opera in Cologne, Germany. He "has always loved the drama and discipline of opera and the explosive whimsy of pop," according to his bio.
"A storyteller by nature, he paints images using simple and innocent gestures, creating theatrical metaphors that blur the boundaries between performance art and popular music and reminding us that the way a story is told is just as important as the actual story itself."
Click here to preview Anggelo's upcoming album, "La Casa Azul."