During this time his manager called him asking if he would like to do theatre again. Ricky said yes without hesitation and was told he had been offered the part of Marius in "Les Miserables". Ricky's Grandmother, although suffering from cancer, was able to be in New York to see Ricky in his Debut on Broadway. "She was so happy. Her eyes were shining and she was smiling with such honesty and joy, it was very special".
After 3 months on Broadway, Ricky began touring again and in early 1998 entered the studio to begin work on his 4th album "Vuelve". "Vuelve" entered at the top of the Latin pop charts. At the Billboard Latin Music Awards 1998, Ricky won "Album of the Year" for "Vuelve" and "Hot Latin Track of the year for the same song.
One of the songs from the album, "The Cup of Life" was to be the theme song for the Soccer World cup in France and was No. 1 in 22 countires. Ricky was invited to sing the song at the closing ceremony of the World Cup, which he recalls as one of the highlights of his career to date. Ricky was also the voice of Hercules in the Spanish version of the Disney film and sang the song "No Importa La Distancia".
Unfortunately in the summer of 1998 Ricky was told that the health of his Grandmother was deteriorating and he returned to Puerto Rico to be by her side. "One night i told her Grandma, goodbye, and next morning they called me". Iraida Negroni Arozmendi died on July 21st 1998.
Ricky completed his tour commitments, and made a TV commercial for Pepsi in Australia with Janet Jackson and also made a magazine and television ad for the Puerto Rican Tourist Board. Ricky also entered into a venture and opened his own Restaurant "Casa Salsa" in South Beach Miami. The Restaurant is unfortunately now closed.
