The magic Box, Disney’s new musical show, will have its world premiere in Argentina. It will be at the Opera Theater, in almost two months, on January 11.
The show will include excerpts from more than 70 songs from Disney films written by established authors and composers, such as Alan Menken, Phil Collins, Elton John, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tim Rice, Richard and Robert Sherman or Hans Zimmer.
Some of the iconic songs that will be part of the musical are An ideal world (Aladdin), There is no talk of Bruno (Charm), How far I’m going (Moana: A sea of adventures), The endless cycle (The Lion King), I am free (Frozen frozen adventure) y This Wishfrom the new animated film Wish: The power of wisheswhich is about to be released in the United States and will arrive in Argentine cinemas close to the premiere of The magic Box.
The first thing to know is that, perhaps, perhaps, in one of those, for the first time in a Disney theatrical show, whether on stage or on ice, Mickey Mouse is not the first to appear on stage, along with Minnie .
Will not be The magic BoxNor, a show like the ones that Disney has presented at the Teatro Colón with seats always sold out. No.
Clarion had the opportunity to witness in a rehearsal room in Villa Ortúzar the presentation made by those responsible for the show to the artists that make up the cast, and then carry out the first rehearsal of the planned 9 weeks. Accompanying Felipe Gamba Paredes, general producer, were the rest of the creative team of the foreign musical, newcomers, including Thaddeus McWhinnie Phillips (writer and director, as well as co-designer of the set), Lynne Kurdziel Formato, who will serve as co-director and choreographer, and Isaac Saul, who is the musical director, arranger and orchestrator.
Because, of course, to put together the show that will bring together songs, themes from almost all Disney productions, you have to create an axis, a story that even minimally serves to concatenate the musical moments.
When he spoke to the cast members, Felipe Gambas Paredes, who in addition to being the show’s general producer is vice president of International Strategy at Disney Theatrical Group in New York, clarified that “first of all, The magic Box is a tribute to the creators of Disney, to the thousands of artists from multiple creative disciplines who, from the beginning of Walt and during the last century to the present day, have built those fantastic worlds that are part of our lives and accompany us in all of our lives. its stages regardless of age, giving wings and flight to our own imagination through its stories, music and unforgettable characters.”
“When I conceived this project, four years ago, I could not have imagined that it would bring together an equally visionary group of artists to bring this innovative theatrical experience to the stage for the first time, and that we would do it in Buenos Aires, which especially moves me as Latin American”.
When the audience enters the room, they will find a bare stage. There will be no curtains or curtains to draw. And there, will be the Magic Box.
But a very small box. Then it will grow.
The spectator who goes on stage
Suddenly, a spectator will come up on stage, which will be a way to represent everyone in the audience. Mara, the name of the character played by Luján Blaksley – seen this year in the musical Shrek-, will testify to the 1,700 spectators of each performance, to demonstrate how “they have the ability to fill the magic box with images and emotions. It is the main object of the work,” said Thaddeus McWhinnie Phillips.
We are not going to advance much more -for now-, but it may be in the middle of the beginning -or perhaps it is an entire topic- Be Our Guestof Beauty and the Beast. Y Friend Like Mewhich Robin Williams sang as the Genie Aladdin.
“I don’t know how we are going to do this,” said Thaddeus McWhinnie Phillips, who explained at length the entire route that the show will have, speaking in Spanish and a little in English, showing images on panels, with the enormous Magic Box behind him. .
Maybe Goofy unplugged something he shouldn’t. A book will open, so that What’s This?by Danny Elfman, by The strange world of Jackalso have its place in the show.
Pluto and Donald will also appear at some point. Like Mickey, “who steals cheese; Well, in truth, he sees it and wants to eat it, he is a little mouse”, Thaddeus clarified, there will be a sea crossed by pirates, the Moana song will be heard How Far I Gosung, of course, by Mara.
A Kabuki theater fabric will simulate the sea and a wave, and Steamboat Willy, one of Walt Disney’s first cartoons, appears. And Dumbo’s feather. And Bambi. And Pinocchio. and references to Alice in Wonderland.
“We have to see how we do all this,” Thaddeus repeated, once again.
There will be a scene with “all the villains, it’s like a nightmare”, Mara will sing a capella I am free, Mickey will return, but with his sorcerer’s hat and a broom, to clean cobwebs. Mara is going to interact with a Mickey from a screen, there will be some theme of Fancyy You will live in my heartby Phil Collins, which Mara will sing to the animated Mickey.
The last song is My wishYes, from the movie Wish.
After the presentation, all the members of the cast (26) sang one of the songs from the presentation, and were preparing to start rehearsals.
To see the musical, developed by Disney Theatrical Group and presented in association with Fever, and with local production also by RGB Entertainment, tickets are now on sale (with performances sold out).
The performances will be from that Thursday, January 11 (there will also be rehearsals open to the public in the days before the premiere) and until March. Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, at 8 p.m.; Friday, at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. (the same times as Saturday), while on Sunday the performance will start at 7 p.m.