Natalie Toro has been described as a “Puerto Rican Patti Lupone,” but that doesn’t do her nearly enough justice. This beautiful and supremely talented actress first made her mark years ago when she starred in the Broadway version of A Tale of Two Cities; since then she’s starred in the Pioneer Theater’s production of In the Heights, as well as in national touring companies of Cats, Evita, and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Toro is one of a wide and wildly talented array of Latinos who have made a huge impression on stage but have yet to receive the same level of recognition in television. Karen Olivo (Harry’s Law), Sara Ramirez (Grey’s Anatomy), and Raul Esparza (Law & Order: SVU) all immediately come to mind as proven Broadway stars whose musical theater background seems virtually unknown west of the Rockies.
Toro is yet another example. You can here her incredible voice here, in a terrific new Christmas song (yes, it’s a little late, but it’s still well worth it!) available for listening on her own web site. And you can read a fairly old but excellent interview with her in Clarisel Gonzalez’ excellent blog, Bronx Latino, here, where Natalie talks at length about being Latina and on Broadway. Here’s one quote:
“Being in this business, being a woman and being a Latina, makes it difficult to achieve certain things because you are always judged by the color of your skin and ethnicity. But in the theater, you can go beyond the color of your skin. You have to think outside the box, but I never forget where I come from and what my family (especially my mom) had to go through to help me realize my dream. And being honored because I realized my dream is a double honor. I am a very proud Puerto Rican and I let everyone know it.”
You can see far too little of her in an all-new episode of Elementary, 10P Thursday January 3 on CBS, and in an early episode of Law & Order: SVU, Saturday January 5 at 5P on USA.
Let’s hope we see a lot more of her, and soon.
