La Gran Vía Viene a Washington Heights! presentado por Hispanic Culture Arts

New York City - Spain meets New York City at P.S. 8 Manhattan “Luis Belliard School” in Washington Heights, as fifth graders take center stage in an adaptation of the Spanish zarzuela “La Gran Via” dramatically situated in the streets of Washington Heights in Upper Manhattan. Presenting scenes from the well known Spanish operetta (zarzuela) “La Gran Via” by the composers Chueca and Valverde, the streets and buildings of Washington Heights come to life in song in dance, as they speak their minds about the going on's of the neighborhood and the city of New York. The presentation will take place in the auditorium of P.S. 8 Manhattan, located on the second floor of the "Luis Belliard School" at 465 West 167th Street in Manhattan. This original production now re styled as “La Gran Via comes to Washington Heights!” is sung in Spanish along with spoken dialogue in English; the players and dancers will sing and dance the “Polka”, “Chotis” and “Jota”, with scenery constructed and designed by a production team of students. "La Gran Via comes to Washington Heights!" is the fruit of a 10 week arts education residency of Hispanic Culture Arts with the fifth graders of P.S. 8, in collaboration with music teacher Erin Young and principal of P.S. 8 Manhattan "Luis Belliard School" Washington Hernandez; its the first project of a three year collaboration that will actively bring classical music, dance and theater to the under served in the arts community of Washington Heights. Supported by a grant from the Office of Arts & Special Projects (OASP) of the Department of Education of New York City.