The Teatro Puerto Rico was a music hall focused on the Latino community in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the South Bronx in New York City.

Puerto Ricans, both male and female, found themselves employed in factories and ship docks, producing both domestic and warfare goods.

[8] Puerto Rican music flourished with the likes of Rafael Hernández and Pedro Flores, who formed the Trio Borincano and gained recognition in the city.

Myrta Silva, who later joined Hernandez's Cuarteto Victoria, also gained fame as a singer after the group traveled and played throughout the United States.

As a consequence, Carlos Montalban, the older brother of actor Ricardo Montalbán, who had connections in Hollywood was contracted to bring Mexican entertainers and cinema celebrities who were shown in the movies.

Among those who were contracted for comedy skits or to talk about their lives and careers were Cesar Romero, Mario "Cantinflas" Moreno, Jorge Negrete and Pedro Infante.

Musicians such as Tito Puente, Vicentico Valdés, Marcelino Guerra, Machito, Arsenio Rodríguez, Charlie and Eddie Palmieri, Orlando Marin, Manny Oquendo, Ray Barretto, Barry Rogers, Johnny Pacheco, Joe Loco, Joe Quijano, Willie Colón and Héctor Lavoe performed at the Teatro.

For a brief period theTeatro presented live wrestling matches; however, attendance at the Teatro Puerto Rico continued to drop and it closed its doors in the late 1970s.

[2] Mr. James Sanchez, a real estate developer, invested $1.2 million and in 1987, after two years of renovations, Teatro Puerto Rico opened its doors once again as a performing arts center for the Hispanic community.

As a consequence, the senator was evicted and pleaded guilty to using false information to win a $95,000 state grant, which was supposed to pay theTeatro Puerto Rico's $10,000-per-month rent.

The legacy of the Teatro Puerto Rico continues to live on at the church, which presents Latin gospel music, with full jazz bands on its stage on Sundays.