The most interesting part of the Estadao article states that this is going to be the biggest set ever of Wicked, due to the size of the theatre. Can't wait!
They had an open rehearsal last sunday (but it was closed, actually), and started previews this monday. Mr. Stephen Schwartz is here and saw today's preview.
Hey Rodrigo- I am curious as to how much rehearsal time shows usually have in Brazil. I know shows only do 5 performances a week. Couldn't they have more if a show is popular? or is there a rule limiting the amount of weekly shows there? And do the shows play both Rio and Sao Paulo? I love the Brazilian talent!!!!
rodrigo_ca said: "They had an open rehearsal last sunday (but it was closed, actually), and started previews this monday. Mr. Stephen Schwartz is here and saw today's preview."
Are the original writers of a show responsible of translating it, or do they hire someone else for that?
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
As far as I'm aware, they rehearse at least once a week. This can be extended if the director sees the cast needs more.
the vast majority of shows plays from Wednesday to Sunday, being evening performances at Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, two performances at Saturday and a matinée at Sundays. However, T4F (the company who brought Beauty and the Beast, Cats, Phantom of the Opera. , The Lion King, Sister Act and now Wicked, among others), started doing two performances at Sundays as well in their last biggest productions at Teatro Renault, where Wicked will be performed. But even they don't do it for their smaller productions at other theatres.
I honestly don't remember a show having more performances than that, but it is common for very small productions to have less performances a week.
Some productions also have closed matinées at Wednesday or Thursday for schools. Depends much on the show. Also, it's not of our culture to go out at Mondays or Tuesdays, so I it could work very well don't think it would work too well.
I don't know if there are a rule limiting the amount of shows, but our work laws grants at least one day off a week.
The biggest productions generally open in Sao Paulo, rarely going to Rio de Janeiro. The only two replica productions that I remember going to Rio are Cats and The Addams Family, and yet, their run there were significantly shorter.
Big local productions from other companies open both in Sao Paulo and Rio, usually travelling to the other city after. Some productions tour to some cities after, but for a very limited number of cities.
Call_me_jorge said: "Are the original writers of a show responsible of translating it, or do they hire someone else for that?"
I didn't saw your message while responding evic's message, sorry!
They always hire someone else, but some writers are known to supervise the translations to make sure they are true to the original ones. Mr. Schwartz is one of them. He once described that he would work with a three column system - the original lyrics on the side of the translation with an English translation of the translation. I know he supervised German and Japanese translations of Wicked, but I don't know if he did it for this translation. However, people who attended to the previews said that the translation is very close to the original, so I wonder...
Thanks for the reply Rodrigo...I saw on youtube that Um Violinista played both cities. I saw the present production on Broadway and yours looked sooooo much better..... the idea of a young boy playing the Fiddler was genious! I also saw the clips of NINE- loved it- filled with stunning women. Totia and Carol Costello are goddesses. Mueller and Boetello are excellent very wise and dedicated directors. One more question- what is the typical salary for a chorus member? Is it enough to live on or do they need another job to sustain themselves?
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
Thank you for your compliments, evic! I wasn't aware of Totia's works in the theatre, but just last week I saw her as Lucia in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and I was COMPLETELY in love with her. I was so in love I had to come back and watch the closing night here in Sao Paulo. It was her last, since the musical is going to Rio and she left the company to play the stepmother in Cinderella.
kadu335, I was completely not aware that she was Mama Rose. I'm crying in a corner right now, for missing it.
As for your question, evic, I'm sorry I don't know the answer to the typical salary of a chorus member. But they usually concentrate in the show they're doing, without taking another job.
And yes, Call_me_jorge, there is a union (there is a union for EVERYTHING in Brazil, literally) for actors, but they're not limited to stage actors. In fact, it is a union for TV, stage, voice and circus artists, along with technicians. And as far as I know, they're not as strong as Equity.
To my Brazilian buddies....there is a video of the full show of Gypsy on youtube. Totia is a hurricane! I will give Faro some slack from the videos since it is a rehearsal...his voice is not the best.... but he is sexy as hell. Loddi probably sings it better. . And by next week, they will all be perfect. PARABENS!!!!!
I haven't seen Loddi as Fyiero yet, but he's a much better singer and actor overall. Faro's last musical was Hairspray like 6 years ago... He's probably gonna grow into the role as he goes (hopefully)
And you're right about Totia in Gypsy... And to think she never though about becoming an actress in the first place. She was a dancer and only began acting when she was cast in the original Brazilian production of A Chorus Line in 1982!
Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
Sorry for the double post, but I saw the matinee yesterday, and I'm totally in love. The cast is just SO awesome. Myra Ruiz is an awesome Elphaba and Fabi Bang slays as Glinda. André Loddi was Fiyero and he was soooo good. Over the years I tried to save myself from a few plot points and I was surprised by some of it.
The versions of the songs are AWESOME, and aside from a verse with March of the Witch Hunters where the lyrics doesn't fit the song at all, it may as well be perfect. It was even close to the versions I did myself in my head over the years. I can translate some of them to English, if anyone is interested.
It was a fly show, but I have been told that the Saturday evening performance was a no fly.
The clips look wonderful and the cast seems so happy-as most Brazilians are in life. There is a clip on youtube of the bows after a performance and the audience went CRAZY. I am so happy for them and I know it will be a huge hit....Kadu...there are many clips of A Chorus Line on Youtube. Claudia Raia was a PERFECT Sheila and was fun to see Alonso Barros. He is such a great choreographer. I love his attitude-very calm and giving.