The Puerto Rican band Menudo brought its 50th anniversary tour to Chicago, with a show scheduled for Friday, October 23 at the Rosemont Theatre. The celebration reunites former members from the group’s eras in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s: René Farrait, Roy Rosselló, Raymond Acevedo, Sergio Blass, Ralphy Rodríguez, Rubén Gómez and Robert Avellanet, who were in Menudo between 1979 and 1991.
In some cases the reunion puts artists on the same stage who had never performed together before. The show is built as a musical journey through the hits that made Menudo an international phenomenon, including "Súbete a mi moto", "Claridad" and "Quiero ser". In a prior interview with The Associated Press, the members explained they had to relearn choreography and adapt some songs to their current voices, and said the show would combine music, dance and visual elements to evoke the era of Menudomanía.
Menudo was founded in Puerto Rico in 1977 and opened the way for many youth groups, serving as a platform for artists such as Ricky Martin and Draco Rosa. The tour began October 10 in Los Angeles and continues to New York, Mexico City and Hollywood, Florida, closing December 12 at the Coca-Cola Music Hall in San Juan.