The search to recreate Menudo, one of the biggest and most successful Latin pop singing groups, gets underway on March 31 in Los Angeles, followed by casting sessions in Dallas, Miami and New York through the end of April.

MTV Tr3s will chronicle the entire journey of thousands from the first audition to the last, culminating with the selection of seven finalists in "Road to Menudo" which debuts on May 12.

The road continues on MTV this fall when the band will dwindle down to the five final members of the new Menudo, as the channel air the 10-episode reality series. (title TBD.)

(...) Once selected, Menudo will be part of the Epic Records family. The partnership between Epic and Menudo kicks off with a first single in July, and the group's "debut" album in December 2007.

MTV Tr3s will document the nationwide search to find the talented and hungry young artists, that will get their shot at making it big in the fast-paced world of the music industry. Four casting sessions will take place beginning in the Los Angeles community of Lynwood on March 31st, at Plaza Mexico; in Miami on April 14th at Bayside Marketplace; in Dallas on April 21st at the Valley View Mall; and in New York on April 28th at the Queens Center Mall in Queens.

Celebrity judges along with renowned music manager, Johnny Wright will be on hand to audition teenage boys on their natural singing and dancing abilities, charisma and stage presence. The auditions are open to males who are at least 15 years old and appear to be less than 19 years old.

All contestants will be asked to sing a song, in English or Spanish, from a pre-selected song list available on Road To Menudo. A legal guardian who can sign a release must accompany contestants under 18. Complete eligibility requirements are also available at the site.

"The Menudo series will introduce an entire new generation to a cross-cultural music phenomenon that once captured the hearts and minds of music fans all over the world," said Lois Curren, President, Entertainment and Programming, MTV. "The series is poised to deliver content that connects deeply with our audience by giving them unlimited access across all our screens, to the young and talented hopefuls aspiring to join Menudo and win their spot on the world stage."

More info: The Search Is On! - Road To Menudo