Musical Wicked opens with more than 40,000 tickets already sold

Remakes are making their mark on TV and in movies, so it’s no surprise that movies are also trying to experiment with past hits. In the case of “Wicked”, which returns to the stages of São Paulo this Thursday (9/3) at the Teatro Santander, the memory of those who saw the first production is still fresh. The original Broadway version presented at the Renault Theater, in the central area of ​​São Paulo, was attended by 340,000 people in 2016.

Timing, however, doesn’t seem to make much of a difference to fans of the witches Glinda and Elphaba and the musicals, let alone the organizers. “We are going to have a new box office record for the theater,” prophesied Marcelo Demetrius, director of the theater, at the contract signing luncheon.

Everything is heading towards the fulfillment of the prophecy. Even before the opening, 40,000 tickets have already been sold. The producer Vinícius Munhoz, in the metropolisventure an explanation of the fact:

“It is a universal story that has no time, nor a defined place, about friendship and bullying, situations that we have all experienced. But packed in a magical universe. These three factors are perfect ingredients for success.”

Wicked tells the story of Elphaba, the wicked witch of the west, and Glinda, the good witch of the north. After an encounter with the Wizard of Oz, they are forced to decide their fate. While Glinda is determined to remain popular, Elphaba is unwilling to betray her moral values.

Brazilian version of the musical Wicked

Brazilian version of the musical Wicked
Photo by João Caldas Fº

Brazilian version of the musical Wicked

Brazilian version of the musical Wicked
Photo by João Caldas Fº

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Brazilian version of the musical Wicked

Brazilian version of the musical Wicked
Photo by João Caldas Fº

wiked the musical

wiked the musical
Photo by João Caldas Fº

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wiked the musical

Brazilian version of the musical Wicked
Photo by João Caldas Fº

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made in brazil

Unlike “Anastasia,” a Broadway original playing at the Renault Theatre, this version of “Wicked” is a “non-replica,” meaning the story and songs are retained, but the costumes and set design were changed. made especially for the Brazilian version. and they are nothing like the American set-up.

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More luxurious, the new costumes present more contrast between the leads and make them stand out from the supporting cast. While the stage elements, rich in detail and movement, give the scenes more dynamism. Even the choreographies for the dance numbers are different. “It’s just dancing”, for example, updates the steps with movements from Tiktok dances.

The current Brazilian version is even more technological than the 2016 version and all those that have already been presented in the world. The protagonist Elphaba defies gravity and flies over the audience in a musical number, something that only the current national version has achieved to this day.

“When the show debuted on Broadway 20 years ago, the creators already wanted to do this scene with the overpass. But there was no technology to do it like this”, explains Munhoz. In addition to being expensive, he explains that rarely does a theater have the structure to receive the necessary machinery to perform the effect safely. Now, in 2023, with the help of 32 tons of equipment, Wicked returns to the most magical settings.

In addition to Elphaba’s impressive flight over the audience in the scene that closes the first act, when presenting her powers, the character throws sparks with her hands, surprising the audience. The Brazilian production also highlights its concern for diversity and has three black actors in the main cast —in 2016, there were only white actors among the leads.

preserved essence

The actresses Myra Ruiz (Elphaba) and Fabi Bang (Glinda) are the only attractions that repeat in 2023. “Do you think we found someone better than them?” Asked Stephen Schwartz, composer of the musical. “Honestly, no,” Munhoz replied.

“With the presence of both of them, we endorse the success of the 2016 assembly and present it to the fans. Having them in the cast helps us show that it’s the same musical, just different,” explains Munhoz.

The actresses have a chemistry that Schwartz himself describes as rare. With Myra and Fabi, Wicked retains its essence, thus being able to fill the eyes of the fans even more without leaving anything to owe to the American version.

Santander Theater (Shopping JK Iguatemi): Av. Pres. Juscelino Kubitschek, 2041 — Ciudad Jardín. Thursday/Friday: 7:30 p.m.; Sat/Sun: 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Website: Teatrosantander.com.br. Tickets from $50.

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