What the “Matilda: The Musical” phenomenon looks like from behind

Clarion he had exclusive access to the world that exists behind the scenes of the hit opera Matilda: the musical, currently playing at the Gran Rex. Unlike other adaptations, this production is based on Roald Dahl’s children’s literary work and, following the resounding success of the previous season, He returned to the stage on January 12th, to remain there until February 13th of this year.

The cast, made up of talented actors, includes Laurita Fernández in the role of Miss Honey, Agustín “I am Rada” Aristarán like Agata Tronchatoro, and José María Listorti and Fer Metilli like the parents of the prodigious Matilde.

Behind the scenes

From the first look behind the scenes one perceives the harmonious coordination that governs the other side of the curtain. Each cast member, especially the child ones, has two or three understudies available if needed.

At 5.30pm Agustín Aristarán, known as “Soy Rada”, the first to arrive, begins his transformation in Agatha Tronchatoro, a process that takes shape two hours. The comedian spoke with Clarion and said it as the show went on it’s very hotbut luckily the air conditioners work properly: “I still haven’t gotten used to the time it takes to do this thing.”

Already in the hair and make-up salon you can see the actors getting ready while chatting with their make-up artists. In another place where there was a ping pong table, some children participating in the show spoke to this newspaper and said this What he likes most about participating in the show is that “we made a lot of friends, the audience’s reactions” and that they are “making their dreams come true.”.

When asked what it means to participate with artists of the caliber of “Soy Rada” and Listorti, one of the guys replied: “I like the fact that everyone is very kind from day one, we learned a lot from them and they never made us feel like they were more than us”.

The staging in Argentina is the result of a collaboration between the production companies led by Carlos and Tomás Rottemberg, Valentina Berger of GO Broadway, Mariano Pagani of MP and Pablo Kohlhuber and Fernando Moya of Ozono Producciones.

“The first time I do a casting”

At 19, José María Listorti joins the team, cheersHe goes to everyone before heading to his dressing room to become Matilda’s father. The actor reveals the details of his selection process and the thrill of auditioning for the first time.

With the heat, a fan and adjusting her wig, Listorti talked about the selection process take part in the musical: “A lot of preparation, I studied singing, I went to a personal coach, an acting coach. I was nervous because I didn’t know if I would attend the auditions, it was an experience I had never had before, the casting. I really liked it, I never felt those nerves, I didn’t know anyone and when I went to the first audition I had the microphone there, someone filming me, one of the girls who was with the keyboard to see my vocal range and gave it to me said ‘What am I doing here’but luckily everything went well.”

Regarding his present, Listorti observed: “My children have seen the show 77 times, they come willingly and show off because they have the sign that says ‘VIP, free access’”. The comedian made it clear that he doesn’t have a cabal before going on stage, but he does have a routine that he always repeats. And I add: “I arrive, greet everyone, go up to the changing room, always take the propolis throat candy, the water and not much else.

In another dressing room, with an hour left until the show starts you can feel her voice warming to one of the protagonists who plays the role of sweet Miss Honey, Laurita Fernandez. Regarding her preparation to go on stage, the winner of the Dancing 2015 He explained that first he does his makeup, then he does his hair, vocalizes, gets dressed and, when he has everything ready, prepares the things he might need on stage, such as water and carilinas. Later he comes down and goes to say hello to the boys.

“For adults, this musical makes us let’s feel like children for a while. She has something very beautiful ”explained Fernández. Regarding what was most difficult for her in playing the role of Miss Matilda, Laurita assured that she has quite difficult songs, a complex lyrical line and that her character, “unfortunately”, does not dance much on stage. “Miel (her character) doesn’t dance at all, “I wanted to dance and I saw everyone dancing and I couldn’t, even though they gave me a little dance at the end.”.

“I really like sleeping”, Laurita’s confession

The driver said that although she is a little hyperactive, she sleeps in whenever she can. “Until 11/10 I sleep without guilt, I don’t stop after that, but I always try to sleep as much as I can.”

Excitement builds as everyone prepares for the show, leaving only the opening of the curtain for the magic to begin. The room is full and the preview is over.