Broadway Music and Dance: Forever Tango

Forever Tango tells the story of the birth of the tango in 19th century Argentina where thousands of men, having abandoned a disintegrating Europe to emigrate to South America, found themselves in the crowded abattoirs (packing houses), the bars and street corners of the arrabales (outlying barrios) and in the enramadas (brothels).  The tango was born of this lonely and violent existence.  Originally shunned by Argentina society as indecent, the tango became an overnight craze in upper-class Paris when Argentine intellectuals taught it when traveling abroad.  The tango quickly spread across Europe and to America, and was eventually re-imported home to Argentina society, though not unchanged.  Born in the brothels and bordellos of Buenos Aires, the tango may be Argentina’s best known export.

Creator/director of Forever Tango, Luis Bravo is a world-class cellist who has performed with major symphonies throughout the world.  His distinguished credits include appearances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Colon Theatre Opera House, the Buenos Aires Philharmonic and other prestigious ensembles.

Forever Tango's design team includes Argemira Affonso (Costumes), Luis Bravo (Lighting), Mike Miller (Sound), and Jean-Luc Don Vito (Make-up).  Víctor Lavallén serves as Musical Director/Arranger and composed some of the music in the show.

Forever Tango opened on Broadway June of 1997 for what was expected to be an eight-week engagement, ran for 14 months and has since been back to New York on Broadway on two separate occasions.  The New York Times called FOREVER TANGO, “A must-see!”  And USA Today said, “Forever Tango shows that the style is more than steamy – it’s smart, even funny … a sensuous, seductive, pleasure.”  The New York Daily News raved that the show was, “an evening of sheer pleasure!  Sensual, elegant, dazzling!”  And the Associated Press declared it to be, “the most theatrical show on Broadway!”  These sizzling reviews and huge demand for tickets forced the run to be extended again and again.