A festive atmosphere, almost on the pitch, welcomes the Argentos at the Gran Rex in Turin the theatrical debut of Married with children.

The work, which was announced for 2020 and had to be postponed twice due to the pandemic, finally landed in Corrientes street to the delight and delirium of his fans who are thousands and thousands. This is demonstrated by the overcrowded theatre, the euphoria of the public and the sold out tickets.

As soon as the function begins and even without the protagonists showing their noses on stage, as soon as the characteristic musical curtain of the comedy plays, the ovation begins which will increase with the appearance on stage of each of the characters. And that reaches its climax with the presence of Pepe Argento, the character of William Francella who, moreover, is responsible for the management.

It has been 17 years since the group last recorded a chapter of the series which was broadcast on Telefe. But, perhaps due to the fact that the strip continues to air on that screen and also due to the imprint left by those characters, it is as if time had not passed.

True to the essence of the strip

The theatrical proposal is faithful to the essence of this story which, for some reason, has penetrated deeply into the popular unconscious and has transformed Pepe, Moni, Coqui and Paola into almost cult characters, within their genre. Like their fictional surname, the Argentos, they represent a lot of Argentine identity, for better or for worse. And there they must be the mirror of an audience that adores them.

In this theatrical version there are no major changes in terms of the story in which the Argentos play but rather a concentrated collection of many of his fillers, clichés and signature traits. This is what the public seeks and this is what they find, the Argentos do not disappoint.

To add up are a series of references to the present that are necessary and well resolved because, if the Argentos are timeless for fiction, time has passed both for the public and for the artists in the flesh. And they take charge.

That doesn’t affect the essence of these controversial but lovable creatures; rather, it injects them with an extra share of energy. Because if something is not lacking in the show and the actors, it is energy: on stage they give their all, also driven by the high vibration that arrives from the other side of the stage.

After some controversy over the humor of these characters who, almost two decades after their last television appearance, find themselves in a reality where many things have changed, their DNA remains unchanged. And it could not be otherwise: if the Argentos were politically correct they wouldn’t be the Argentos.

Veganism, patriarchy and more

To account for elapsed time, the Married with children add several winks related to issues that, 17 years ago were not so visible, such as veganism, hegemonic bodies, patriarchy and more. Sure, in a parodistic tone and with comic language, with texts by Axel Kuschevatzky and Diego Alarcón, the same duo who wrote the screenplays for the Telefe fiction.

Of course none of this would be possible without it the effectiveness of the actors and actresses who bring these characters to life. From the duo of brothers Luisana Lopilato and Darío Lopilato to the incorporation of Jorgelina Aruzzi, with a new character to make up for the farewell of Erica Rivas.

Luisana, who has built a solid film career in recent years, married the international star Michael Bublé and is the mother of four children, once again gives Paola that affectionate fiber of a sexy and awkward girl (when it suits her). Darío hasn’t lost a grin and continues to be the Coqui who manages to drive his father crazy.

Marcelo De Bellis as Dardo Fuseneco, the neighbor and friend of the family, who now tries to be a more deconstructed man thanks to his new partner, Azucena, played by Aruzzi. Both are the ideal counterpoint of Pepe and Moni. Aruzzi, who had difficulty entering at the last moment, thanks to his great skill and his talent for comedy, manages to fit perfectly into the dynamics of the group.

For his part, Florence Pena brings back her ineffable Moni intact: from the wig to the costumes, the actress, with her natural talent for comedy, dominates the scene making the character sing and dance with hilarious moments that audiences, of all ages, celebrate at their best. .

And Francella gives Pepe all the acidity that characterizes it, even overloaded. The idiosyncrasy of his character added to the charisma of the actor who knows how to manage times and tones making the audience an accomplice, complete the combo.

The wait to see the Argentos and the Fusenecos was long in coming and generated an unprecedented expectation. But they came back and there was no question their magic is still valid and they are true to their style, They have already made history.

Review: Very good

Married with children. Shows Tuesday through Sunday at Teatro Gran Rex, Av. Corrientes 857, Location: from $7840.