BY MICHAEL GILTZ
DAILY NEWS

In 'Celia,' actress Xiomara Laugart sings the songs of Celia Cruz, including 'El Yerbero Moderno,' and shouts out Cruz’s trademark 'Azucar!'

The real Celia Cruz, known as 'La Guarachera de Cuba.'

Legendary salsa singer Celia Cruz conquered Cuba, the rest of Latin America and finally the world. So it's no surprise that, "Celia," an Off-Broadway musical about her life, would turn into a hit.

Bursting with more than 30 classic Cruz numbers like "Bemba Colora" and "La Vida Es un Carnaval," the show that opened in September at the New World Theater (230 W. 49th St., at Eighth Ave.) just placed a block of tickets on sale for performances through the end of January, is eying yet another three-month extension and is making plans to record a cast album and launch a tour.

READ MORE: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/arts/2007/12/23/2007-12-23_celia_cruz_heats_up_the_stage_again.html

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