News, Politics and Issues
Taina
Written by Rich Vázquez
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{mos_smf_discuss:Arts/Entertainment}
Taina Morales, played by Christina Vidal, is an energetic 15-year-old beginning her first year at the Manhattan School of the Arts. The school is full of teens with dreams of becoming great musicians, moviemakers and world-famous divas. Taina is no exception. Between her preparations for drama class and her home life, she might spirit the audience away to her daydreams with a musical number with the spotlight on her. But the music is not confined to her imagination. Much like the show Fame, the young actors and actresses in this show take cues from each other in spontaneous song and dance.
In the first episode, Taina learns that acting isn't about action
sequences and tough-cop one-liners. After a disappointing response to
her Jennifer López-inspired tough-gal, Taina regroups with a portrayal
of Joan of Arc. thanks in part to encouragement from her friends and
family. Her mother is played by real-life 80s pop diva, Lisa Lisa.
Remembering when she came from Puerto Rico as a little girl who knew no
English, Taina's mother tells her the new language sounded like
nonsense. told. Her own mother's words gave her strength, she tells
Taina, "You're a Latina, you have strong blood."
In future episodes, Taina will find various opportunities for success and have to consider how those decisions will impact and her friends, her family and her future. When she lands a job as a dancer with a popular band, she might have to leave to tour with them. In another episode, Taina will deal with her jealousy when she auditions for a soap opera and her little brother Santito lands the role. When her mother wants to have a her Quinceañera celebration party, Taina's own idea of how to celebrate may interfere. In another episode, she will deal with failing a Spanish test. Taina promises to deliver an entertaining show with a flare of culture.
Taina fleshes out the Latino presence in Nickelodeon's schedule. Dora the Explorer, a show aimed at preschoolers, tells the adventures of a bilingual heroine who interacts with the audience to troubleshoot her way through different problems. The Brothers Garcia is a show about a Mexican-American family and the relationship between the brothers, and Taina shows us a teen-age girl growing to be a strong and perhaps famous woman. Kudos to Nickelodeon for reaching all ages with realistic and positive portrayals of Latinos in every day life.
The show premiered on January 14th. It will show again on the 18th at
6pm (ET/PT), and on the 20th at 7pm (ET/PT). It 's scheduled to show
regularly on Sunday nights.
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