A fun fact about this production is that almost every Popular segment is different every time, Fabi Bang always try to put some pop culture references such as Frozen, Evita, Taylor Swift, Annabelle, Barbie, and some brazillian stuff like you said.
Worth mentioning that the Evita reference is because Myra Ruiz, who plays Elphaba, has also played Evita as Eva Perron And I can't tell for sure because I haven't seen the Frozen reference but it could be because Myra voiced Queen Iduna on Frozen 2
Fun fact about Fabi Bang, our Glinda: She is the QUEEN of incorporating pop culture and brazilian references in everything she does and it always works. She’s also superb at improvising throughout the show. Her little one liners and responses to whatever is going on around her on stage are amazing and keep you engaged. Plus you can go watch her however many times you want and you’ll aways get a little treat like that. As for the Wizard’s Zoltar doll, he was played by Renan Rosiq.
Interesting to note that the "Thank Goodness" dress was previously used by Myra Ruiz (Elphaba's actress) when she performed Evita in the Brazilian production, so the dress was kind of a tribute to that :D (Edit) Also Elphaba's tattered sweater is a reference to the red sweater she also wears in the book I'd really love to see a video of you talking about the other differences!
The actor who plays Zoltar (the Wizard's animatronic) is Renan Rosiq... he is AMAZING! He's the best addition to our montage besides the Defyig Gravity, and the Nessarose's parts... There are some easter eggs from the upcoming movie version in this production: the two Glinda's friends as you said are one woman and one man, and we have a new caracter who is Madame Morrible's secretary (she has no spoken nor sung lines though)... And the cast is very diverse and inclusive.... Besides that, we have some gay and lesbian couples during the Oz Dust ballroom, and Fiyero has some indications that he is bissexual (as he dances and seduces both boys and girls)... I'm glad you liked your experience here... Wicked is trully a phenomenon here in Brazil! Back in 2016 we've had the replica production with Myra and Fabi, and it get such a solid and engaged fan base, that it made possible for the musical to return now... and the production broke the records with 100% sold out performances, like two months before the ending of the run we had no more tickets available... trully unbelievable!
I have one thing to say as a Brazilian Wicked fan: I LOVE the way the songs are translated (mostly). For instance, one that really got stuck in my head is when Elphaba sings "And if I'm flying solo, at least I'm flying free", in Portuguese it was translated as "Eu posso estar sozinha, mas hoje o céu é meu," which means "I might be alone, but tonight the sky is mine!" I know it's almost the same thing, but not quite - the way the posessive is there, the way she OWNS the sky, really felt more Defying Gravity to me. It's like I feel with the Dutch version when she says "I laugh at gravity". I love how all the ways the songs are translated add so much to them!
Oh, by the way: Marcelo Médici might be the most famous person in the production, he is famous for working in major soap operas and movies! I was shockedd to see him there hahahaha
Verdade. E modo como a Elphaba antes queria passar desapercebida e invisível na "cidade esmeralda", e depois lança o vaticínio "e ouça bem a minha voz (...) agora vão me ver voar" é cheia de significado!
@@mauricioyamashiro3518 Me emocionou bastante também! Eu não gostei muito da tradução apenas de Thank Goodness (apesar de eu não conseguir sugerir uma melhor, acho que fizeram o melhor que dava), todo o resto ficou bem forte
I'd say my absolute favorite Brazilian adaptation is in the beginning of Defying Gravity, when "I hope you're happy, my friend" becomes "I hope in the end, you still remember me". This makes a HUGE difference to all of us lesbians who see romantic material in Elphaba and Glinda 🥹
@@nataliascalvenzi5553 The beginning of What Is This Feeling in the original is also pretty ambiguous when it comes to a Glelphaba ship, huh? I've always felt like there's some tension humming between them and I agree with you!
I really wish you spoke portuguese and knew all the little references to brazilian culture, Fabi makes so many small jokes that just elevate the fun in watching her play Glinda.
Last "Popular" was so rich in amazing references that only makes sense for us Brazilians. Still, I think it was still fun for non-Portuguese speakers. I hope so haha
As a Brazilian I can say that is normal to include jokes related to current events like the Barbie one. I think it creates an easier way to connect with people who might not usually go to the theatre. Also, many Brazilians love memes and to stay connected online. This is basically part of our culture.
Yes, and that's what makes a lot of brazilian productions a bit worse lol Fortunately, meme-fication only happens mostly with the biggest, most well-known performances (if you go watch musicals outside of the Teatro Renault-Teatro Santander route this happens less and less)
I'm learning Portuguese so I've been following this production and its cast on insta since I love Wicked as well and I just loved everything about it so much
I would 100% watch a video of you going through all of the changes made for this production. I was SEATED for the explanation about what they did for Wicked Witch of the East! That chair thing with the Tin Man is terrifying and so damn clever
I was in São Paulo in March to see this production, and it was AMAZING, was my first time watching Wicked, and second watching a musical live, i seated two chairs behind your's, and let me be clear, "Defying Gravity" BLOW MY MIND! Dude i cried like a baby, i mean Myra Ruiz was 6ft above, pointing to me, so what alse could i done? I definitely agree with you about Nayara Venâncio, she was the perfect choice. What a voice!!!!!!! Besides the fact that she's an OUTSTANDING dancer. Fabi Bang is a Hurricane on stage, she has the perfect timing, and the way she bring brazilian and pop culture elements to the scenes, it's brilliant, her version of "Popular" it's hilarious. What alse I can say about Myra? She stole my heart performing "Wizard and i" and kept it till the end of the show! Glad you enjoyed!!!
Gracias, me encanta verte. No hay mucho teatro musical en América Latina y saber qué hay países que pueden tener un teatro musical de este nivel es muy emocionante. ¡Gracias!
Loved your review, would like to hear more about the diferences between this production and the ones you’ve seen… Regarding the line from “Wonderful”, he’s mimicking Bolsonaro’s voice while singing what translates as “a fascist leader”. (For context, Bolsonaro was the president from 2019 to 2022… he’s now under investigation for multiple crimes, especially for the poor management during the pandemic, going as far as advocating for non-effective threatments and being aggainst the social distancing policies).
Amazing review! And I would really like to hear more about the little changes and cutural references. The trailer the brazillian production dropped had me shook!! I really loved the desings, but the casting was WOW. I've searched a little more of their performances and now I have difficulty imagining Elphaba and Glinda as anyone else.
Loved that you flew in to see what's happening in our theater scene. I just a observation as a fun fact, since you've mentioned the Fiyero scarecrow costuming. I was in the show for 2 of the 3 previews, on the very first performance, Tiago had a full on mask/Disney Park Character head piece ensemble going on, but for the next day, it had already been cut. I'm not quite sure of the reasoning, personally I liked the head piece, even though it really muffled his mic. But I've herad people saying that some of the kids watching the first day were terrified by the scarecrow.
Watched the Broadway version in New York in 2018, the London version in 2021 and the Brazilian one last month. Loved both but I think the Brazilian production was more breathtaking than the others. I for once was not expecting Elphaba to fly on the audience and couldnt help but gasp out loud when it happened. Wish I could see it again.
The Zoltar was most of the time Renan Rosiq, I can confirm it was him in the performance you saw because I was there as well, he killed it in all the times he performed
A great video, and so happy to see that your enthusiasm and intelligence have been recognized, and you were given this fantastic opportunity to see this "non-replica" Brazilian production of WICKED. Your insights are invaluable; hopefully, you'll get more chances to see more international productions!
Fun fact about the Thank Goodness gown: it's the same gown Myra wore in the Open Air production of Evita in São Paulo! It does seem kind of off, aesthetically speaking, since it doesn't blend in so well with the Ozian outfits, but it's an easter egg. Evita Open Air was STUNNING, by the way!
One of my favorite differences between the two versions is that the Brazilian version places a lot more emphasis on the colors of the costuming (i.e., red, blue, purple, yellow, and green), which in the grand scheme of things isn’t a super big deal, but helps establish the cultural differences in identity between the five regions of Oz (e.g., in Madame Morrible’s and Boq’s costuming especially). The original Oz books gave each race in Oz a national color by which the culture is distinguished, as well as an association with witches wearing white (which Nessarose wears in Act II of the Brazilian version, in contrast to Boq’s Act II blue peasant clothing). It’s a subtle detail that helps the story clarify just a bit more and something that I always loved and found interesting from the books. It was a pleasant surprise to see this played out here because it seldom is in various adaptations of Oz media.
Loved getting to hear your thoughts on what seems to be an incredible version. The Boq transformation is briefly seen in the B Roll footage & let me tell you my mouth dropped with even the half a second I saw. I feel like a non replica version touring Europe & the US in a few years after the regular tour has really faded away would be fantastic. Really pushing the "See Wicked as you've never seen it before" idea but not sure if there is some sort of restriction on when/where they can do these. Oh & loved the green lighting on half your face :)
I was so eager for this review that I'm watching it during my shift at work. I'd like to hear more about the changes. Hope in the future more brazilian producers invite you to see musicals here with more time and with your fiance. Hugs from Brazil!
Glenda actually dyed Elphaba's hair blonde during popular! Crazy. I also liked the visuals on the giant viewing globe during no good deed where you see Fyro being tortured and also images of her sister and Dr. Dillamond (sp?).
Small correction; there have been non-replica productions of Wicked for over 12 years. The Finnish production happened 12 years ago and around the same time the Danish production happened as well; both non-replica and fascinatingly designed.
(sorry, my english is horible) Myra is an incredible artist and a juvenile person herself. When she “dances samba” while saying goodbye to the audience, she is just making fun! We don´t dance samba at the end of (almost) any show, specially after a “Broadway musical”!
I can't believe you were in Brazil in my city being this amazing production. happy you liked it. our theater scene is growing very fast and we are having many wonderful shows here. hope you can visit again to see more of our actors and productions.
“Shook, but in Portuguese” omg deaaaad hahah But there have been Non-Replica production releases of Wicked coming out for years now. Like the one in Helsinki in 2010 and a Danish one in 2011. etc... :)
Yes, but he’s racist and had to keep saying “in Portuguese” over and over and OVER AND OVER! Get it?! It’s not in white American British language English!!! Oh my god! Hey!!?!? I’m actually kidding but wanted to be a drama queen lol. Rare I get the chance… yes I did notice him say “but in Portuguese” several times.. I laughed first couple times but then became…. “Yes, that’s what language it’s in….” And then he kept saying it….. yes… other countries DO have different languages. Their culture is not a joke…
thanks for coming here to brazil and making this vid mickey! its so important for the brazilian musical theather scenario to get this sort of attention. Like u see and mentioned on the first vlog, a lot of thw theathers here are finatially suported by incs and, specially, banks. I've become a huge fan of wicked in 2018, so i missed the 2016 original production. Even though i got to see it this year, i brought with me my intire family and they all loved. I also couldnt agree more with u with the ups and downs of this production, as a late fan for the original replica, i watched A LOT of "slime tutorials" until march of this year. Even though i had the almost every same criticism as you i must not deny i didnt get so happy and amused and fullfilled watching this version..... again, i must reinforce the importance of people and channel like you/yours to show the world that brazillian market is available and we must get a chance to see almost every production there is!!
i shall also clarify the importance of diva and thiago playing madame morrible and fiyero. Brazil has one of the highest "hatefull actions" against trans community and its so important for us, from brazilian lgbtq+ community here in brazil, to see people like her taking these kinds of places in the society. Also for Thiago and Kabello for being black men taking the main male role in the production as brazil still has huge problems with racism...
i agree with most of what you've said, just wanted to add that the way I interpreted the classroom changes was more like a "different POV", like it didnt change for the students but we as an audience moved to another angle in the same room 😅 also, having watched the replica production with Fabi and Myra in 2016, their growth as performers is just perfec. Fabi's Popular has improved a lot and the props they added for her in this scene just made it 10x better than the original, shame non Brazilian audiences probably wont get half of her little add ons on and jokes
i must say that i got here in this channel because of wicked brazil, and ill leave my subscription. You're so charismatic mickey! Definitely will be watching the other vids
i think that thank goodness gown is amazing for the situation of the song, gives a formal aproach to glinda and just shines perfectly right when she sits on the stairs and sings the sad part, its iconic
I really enjoyed hearing about these differences, but I'd really have liked to know more about the reasons you were invited to review the show in its penultimate performance. As it's already closed, so none of us can see it, why did the creative team pay for you to fly over? Will this production be popping up elsewhere? Were the producers just hoping to excite people about non- replica productions in general?
Maybe the creative team (Ateliê de Cultura) wants to sell the ideas, like the flight mechanism, to other countries? Or maybe they will do a new season like next year or the other, since this one was a hit and tickets were sold out two months before closing.
Wicked Brazil was a huge success, they sold out all the tickets 2 months before the end of the season. They stayed there for 6 months. The Brazilian theater scenario is a bit different. The number of theaters are limited and the shows are some times sponsored by huge companies like Santander, following some gorvernment rules to reduce the tax. Because all of that, they stay only for a few months. If they want to return, they need new sponsors and a theater.
He made a vlog of his time there and it seems it took a while to confirm all the plans for him going over so that it just ended up being towards the end of the run.
@@HelenRosemarySmith I watched the vlog, but it seemed to me that the offer came pretty last minute. Sounded like the drinks with the creative team went well, so I'll hope for more Brazilian theatre scene content.
Thank you for sharing this review, the differences sound fascinating, I would definitely be interested in a follow up video. The Defying Gravity sequence sounds incredible!
I see your point, but at this point in the run (and despite the show reliably being in 1mil+ in weekly grosses category), it might be financially prohibitive to alter the staging. Plus they'd have to bring in the unions for approval in changing the staging, added insurance costs, getting safety permits and such from the city. It would be great, but it's unlikely we'll ever see it change.
@ZamTx1 I never said that they should change they should change it. So I don't see the purpose of you comment. Also as a theater industry professional...I already knew everything you pointed out.
I saw the clips of that production looks fabulous bot productions better than uk and USA ….I’d love to see either incorporated into the original versions mickey Jo I’d love to hear your review of the Hamburg flying too
I'm fascinated by this review! I've watched the original replica Wicked performance in São Paulo years ago, and one of the things that let me down a little at the time were precisely Defying Gravity and the dragon (it was so big and impressive I expected more action from it, but it was barely ever used). I expected something bigger of both, and it seems like this production absolutely delivers all that I wanted, and exchanges the huge static dragon for something more dynamic. I wish I could have seen this one too! I would LOVE to hear a more in-depth review from you about the specifics. Seeing them dance the samba at the end of the presentation in the other video filled my heart! I love that so much. Non-replica productions are fascinating to me in how they manage to capture the energy and creativity of the countries they are presented in. Thank you for the review, love your videos!
I am Brazilian and have lived in London for the past 17 years and watch the majority of your videos. Seeing your reviewing you a Brazilian production warms my heart. As I am writing this my mum and sis are seeing The Lion King in São Paulo - I gave them tickets as a gift because I wished they could feel how amazing musicals are (they have seen it in London, but don’t speak English - so finally they will “hopefully” understand what I mean when I say I love musicals). I think Brazil has a huge potential, except the prices there are sour 😭
I'm brazilian and I've seen the broadway production in 2017, cried my eyes out and loved it. Wasn't able to watch the first production in Brazil, but I've seen the non-replica one with my sisters. Also cried my eyes out, obviously, but I agree with most of the "weak parts" pointed out. Specially the Madam Morrible speech and the reveal that Elphaba is alive. The second one I found it to be even sad because it took away such an important and powerful feeling from her coming out of the trap door, an actual surprise! My sisters had never seen it before and did not know the story, so when it got to that part and the end, the were like "is it over? How come?" in a feeling of "this seemed kind of crazy patched together to make sense and finish the story. When I explained how it ends in the original one, they understood it better. BESIDES THAT: I truly believe that one show aside in Brazil is the audience. If you look up for the last defying gravity from this productions on even the first one, you'll find videos of the audience SHOUTING the lines with them, singing together and its chilling great! HEAVYLY recomend that!!
I wish I would have known about it. I have seen Wicked many times in several countries (most often London, even though I live in the U.S.) but I never tire of it. I would have jumped at the chance to see the Brazilian version. I'll have to be more vigilant in the future.
Great review. I agree in everything you said. The show is amazing, fun and breath-taking. I hope that they return in future, I would love to watch it again. I am so happy that you could watch and present it to an international audience. ❤
... I know the Hamburg staging Elphaba flew up and over and out of the theater at the end of Defying Gravity, that was a smaller smaller theater, but this was equally as good
You can find the videos of the performance on youtube. The production has closed, but they will probably return next year, i hope in Rio de Janeiro. It was a huge success in São Paulo, the tickets sold out 2 months before the end of the season.
about the Thank Goodness dress: is generic ball gown because it actually is the "Don´t Cry for me Argentina" dress that Myra (actress playing Elphaba) wore last year at this same company production of Evita. It's not a tribute, it's all about recycling
In the “no replica version” of “one short day” there were some caracters who had “green glasses” and some who didn’t. In the replica version everyone uses “green glasses”, as they were a part of a club (where no one cares about your color), except for Elphaba and Glinda. When they got their own “green glasses” is like they felt to be part of this “magic city”, where they wanted to be. (sorry again, my english is horrible)
I'm so glad the footage of Boq came out online in the last couple days so we could see what happens. I wish replica wicked versions had some of this cool stuff.
Thank you for this international review!! I love a franchise, specially when it’s WICKED which is one of my all time faves (I also saw it like 10 times, London and Broadway), but listening to your comments and having seen some clips of the DG scene, I will definately give it a chance!!
You mentioned that No Good Deed is quite different but you didn't say whether you felt it was better or worse than the original, I'd love to hear more about what made it so different and whether or not those changes were effective.
i've seen videos on tiktok of this. but i'm so baffled.... the expense put into this for a limited production is madness!! how was this financed for a short term run?
I went to see _Wicked_ in the original run and Miriam Margolyes was supposed to be playing Madame Morrible, but she had to pull out due to illness which was devastating. The understudy was fantastic in the role, but I was really looking forward to seeing her, y'know? Alexia Khadime absolutely knocked it out of the park, tho.
There was a production in Hburg just last year that used much the same rig for DG(apparantly it was leftover equipment from that theatre's production of Tarzan) except they only had her fly through the theatre at the very ebd as she belted out her fi al "aahahahah". This one was much more ambitious and looks really cool.
I will say that Maya Ruiz sounded much better in defying gravity when it was a replica show than she does in this production. I don't think they fully solved the problem of belting with nothing to ground you. She wasn't as powerful and her high notes suffered in pitch. Neither were a problem for her before. As much as I love the visuals, I still prefer a stronger vocal performance over Elphaba flying over the audience.
I had a totally different impression over her vocals. In my opinion she is much better this time. Her vocals improved in every aspects. In fact she kept improving until the last performance. She was getting more and more control of it as the weeks passed. The way she performed on the final week completely blew my mind.
@@soulbeliever02 Agreed. I was there on the day that Mickey went, but one session earlier and I was actually blown away by how powerful and incredibly on tune she managed to be while flying around. I still cannot stop thinking about it, days after.
I watched the show a weekend away from the last week of the show, and like I kinda can see your point about the Thank Goodness bit, although I think freezing it was a great choice because it shows her realizing her feelings about it all, and I'm almost sure it was also a reference to Evita, which was played by Myra (Elphaba's actress) not so long ago.
Would have loved to have heard your opinion on the German re-vamp. It was very modern - more metal/leather/glitz/plastic regarding the costumes and had a bit of typical American Highschool feeling/look for Shiz. It was also pretty minimalist when it came to the set. I quite liked it: it made sure that the focus was on the character and the storyline- which I do feel lends itself to different interpretations and is strong enough on its own. I wasn't the biggest fan of some of the casting choices but other than that...
You said non-replica productions of Wicked have only happened in the past few years, but actually the first non-replica happened in Helsinki, Finland back in 2010!
I’d love a scene by scene analysis if you can remember. There’s a lot to unpack here! Glinda looks so much like MGM this is what I hope for from the film!
“Shook, but in Portuguese” is a sentence I will carry forever in my Brazilian heart 💚
Shook but in Portuguese is simply PASSADA
@@celo7carvalho “Passada, but in English”
Fun fact: Myra and Fabi met through the replica version they did in 2016 and became such close friends that Myra is now godmother to Fabi's baby.
And now they appears in so many productions together 😍
Yess, that's right, in final season of Wicked Brazil Fabi say "Ela é tão linda, fofinha, madrinha da minha filha ela é" LOL 😂😂
A fun fact about this production is that almost every Popular segment is different every time, Fabi Bang always try to put some pop culture references such as Frozen, Evita, Taylor Swift, Annabelle, Barbie, and some brazillian stuff like you said.
Worth mentioning that the Evita reference is because Myra Ruiz, who plays Elphaba, has also played Evita as Eva Perron
And I can't tell for sure because I haven't seen the Frozen reference but it could be because Myra voiced Queen Iduna on Frozen 2
In one moment of "Popular" she say "Parece a cuca do Monteiro Lobato", is a guy from Brazil
Fun fact about Fabi Bang, our Glinda: She is the QUEEN of incorporating pop culture and brazilian references in everything she does and it always works. She’s also superb at improvising throughout the show. Her little one liners and responses to whatever is going on around her on stage are amazing and keep you engaged. Plus you can go watch her however many times you want and you’ll aways get a little treat like that. As for the Wizard’s Zoltar doll, he was played by Renan Rosiq.
Interesting to note that the "Thank Goodness" dress was previously used by Myra Ruiz (Elphaba's actress) when she performed Evita in the Brazilian production, so the dress was kind of a tribute to that :D
(Edit) Also Elphaba's tattered sweater is a reference to the red sweater she also wears in the book
I'd really love to see a video of you talking about the other differences!
The dress is a reference to evita's dress, but not the same
@@sailorpluto1556it is exactly the same. Nessarose's chair is also the same used on the brazilian production of evita
I would watch a video with every little difference
And you can… here on RUclips you just need to put the name of the song with Wicked Brasil 2023
The actor who plays Zoltar (the Wizard's animatronic) is Renan Rosiq... he is AMAZING! He's the best addition to our montage besides the Defyig Gravity, and the Nessarose's parts...
There are some easter eggs from the upcoming movie version in this production: the two Glinda's friends as you said are one woman and one man, and we have a new caracter who is Madame Morrible's secretary (she has no spoken nor sung lines though)... And the cast is very diverse and inclusive.... Besides that, we have some gay and lesbian couples during the Oz Dust ballroom, and Fiyero has some indications that he is bissexual (as he dances and seduces both boys and girls)...
I'm glad you liked your experience here... Wicked is trully a phenomenon here in Brazil! Back in 2016 we've had the replica production with Myra and Fabi, and it get such a solid and engaged fan base, that it made possible for the musical to return now... and the production broke the records with 100% sold out performances, like two months before the ending of the run we had no more tickets available... trully unbelievable!
I have one thing to say as a Brazilian Wicked fan: I LOVE the way the songs are translated (mostly). For instance, one that really got stuck in my head is when Elphaba sings "And if I'm flying solo, at least I'm flying free", in Portuguese it was translated as "Eu posso estar sozinha, mas hoje o céu é meu," which means "I might be alone, but tonight the sky is mine!" I know it's almost the same thing, but not quite - the way the posessive is there, the way she OWNS the sky, really felt more Defying Gravity to me. It's like I feel with the Dutch version when she says "I laugh at gravity". I love how all the ways the songs are translated add so much to them!
Oh, by the way: Marcelo Médici might be the most famous person in the production, he is famous for working in major soap operas and movies! I was shockedd to see him there hahahaha
Verdade. E modo como a Elphaba antes queria passar desapercebida e invisível na "cidade esmeralda", e depois lança o vaticínio "e ouça bem a minha voz (...) agora vão me ver voar" é cheia de significado!
@@mauricioyamashiro3518 Me emocionou bastante também! Eu não gostei muito da tradução apenas de Thank Goodness (apesar de eu não conseguir sugerir uma melhor, acho que fizeram o melhor que dava), todo o resto ficou bem forte
I'd say my absolute favorite Brazilian adaptation is in the beginning of Defying Gravity, when "I hope you're happy, my friend" becomes "I hope in the end, you still remember me". This makes a HUGE difference to all of us lesbians who see romantic material in Elphaba and Glinda 🥹
@@nataliascalvenzi5553 The beginning of What Is This Feeling in the original is also pretty ambiguous when it comes to a Glelphaba ship, huh? I've always felt like there's some tension humming between them and I agree with you!
I really wish you spoke portuguese and knew all the little references to brazilian culture, Fabi makes so many small jokes that just elevate the fun in watching her play Glinda.
Last "Popular" was so rich in amazing references that only makes sense for us Brazilians. Still, I think it was still fun for non-Portuguese speakers. I hope so haha
As a Brazilian I can say that is normal to include jokes related to current events like the Barbie one. I think it creates an easier way to connect with people who might not usually go to the theatre. Also, many Brazilians love memes and to stay connected online. This is basically part of our culture.
Yeah, but in this production It was too much! They lost sense of the joke
Yes, and that's what makes a lot of brazilian productions a bit worse lol Fortunately, meme-fication only happens mostly with the biggest, most well-known performances (if you go watch musicals outside of the Teatro Renault-Teatro Santander route this happens less and less)
You have become my comfort youtuber. 🥺
I'm learning Portuguese so I've been following this production and its cast on insta since I love Wicked as well and I just loved everything about it so much
I would 100% watch a video of you going through all of the changes made for this production. I was SEATED for the explanation about what they did for Wicked Witch of the East! That chair thing with the Tin Man is terrifying and so damn clever
Thank you for that! I’m Brazilian, and I’m so glad that you loved our production! ❤🇧🇷
I was in São Paulo in March to see this production, and it was AMAZING, was my first time watching Wicked, and second watching a musical live, i seated two chairs behind your's, and let me be clear, "Defying Gravity" BLOW MY MIND! Dude i cried like a baby, i mean Myra Ruiz was 6ft above, pointing to me, so what alse could i done?
I definitely agree with you about Nayara Venâncio, she was the perfect choice. What a voice!!!!!!! Besides the fact that she's an OUTSTANDING dancer.
Fabi Bang is a Hurricane on stage, she has the perfect timing, and the way she bring brazilian and pop culture elements to the scenes, it's brilliant, her version of "Popular" it's hilarious.
What alse I can say about Myra? She stole my heart performing "Wizard and i" and kept it till the end of the show!
Glad you enjoyed!!!
I would love to hear more of the changes. I’m very intrigued by the choices they made.
Yes
Gracias, me encanta verte. No hay mucho teatro musical en América Latina y saber qué hay países que pueden tener un teatro musical de este nivel es muy emocionante. ¡Gracias!
I want ALL of the differences MickeyJo!!!
Loved your review, would like to hear more about the diferences between this production and the ones you’ve seen…
Regarding the line from “Wonderful”, he’s mimicking Bolsonaro’s voice while singing what translates as “a fascist leader”. (For context, Bolsonaro was the president from 2019 to 2022… he’s now under investigation for multiple crimes, especially for the poor management during the pandemic, going as far as advocating for non-effective threatments and being aggainst the social distancing policies).
When he said "a former Brazilian leader" I was like oh I think I know who that might have been!
Amazing review! And I would really like to hear more about the little changes and cutural references. The trailer the brazillian production dropped had me shook!! I really loved the desings, but the casting was WOW. I've searched a little more of their performances and now I have difficulty imagining Elphaba and Glinda as anyone else.
Loved that you flew in to see what's happening in our theater scene. I just a observation as a fun fact, since you've mentioned the Fiyero scarecrow costuming. I was in the show for 2 of the 3 previews, on the very first performance, Tiago had a full on mask/Disney Park Character head piece ensemble going on, but for the next day, it had already been cut. I'm not quite sure of the reasoning, personally I liked the head piece, even though it really muffled his mic. But I've herad people saying that some of the kids watching the first day were terrified by the scarecrow.
Watched the Broadway version in New York in 2018, the London version in 2021 and the Brazilian one last month. Loved both but I think the Brazilian production was more breathtaking than the others. I for once was not expecting Elphaba to fly on the audience and couldnt help but gasp out loud when it happened. Wish I could see it again.
SO nice you could watch these 3 versions!
I was expecting elphaba to fly over the audience in London. What we got was a raised pillar on a black background. It was awful.
As a long time fan of yours I'm SO glad you're getting all of these amazing opportunities! :D
Congratulations on your growing success to “getting flown over” to watch an international show!!!!
The Zoltar was most of the time Renan Rosiq, I can confirm it was him in the performance you saw because I was there as well, he killed it in all the times he performed
A great video, and so happy to see that your enthusiasm and intelligence have been recognized, and you were given this fantastic opportunity to see this "non-replica" Brazilian production of WICKED. Your insights are invaluable; hopefully, you'll get more chances to see more international productions!
I laughed so much at the importance of consistency in a classroom part 😂
Fun fact about the Thank Goodness gown: it's the same gown Myra wore in the Open Air production of Evita in São Paulo! It does seem kind of off, aesthetically speaking, since it doesn't blend in so well with the Ozian outfits, but it's an easter egg. Evita Open Air was STUNNING, by the way!
Immediate like for “shook, but in Portuguese”
One of my favorite differences between the two versions is that the Brazilian version places a lot more emphasis on the colors of the costuming (i.e., red, blue, purple, yellow, and green), which in the grand scheme of things isn’t a super big deal, but helps establish the cultural differences in identity between the five regions of Oz (e.g., in Madame Morrible’s and Boq’s costuming especially). The original Oz books gave each race in Oz a national color by which the culture is distinguished, as well as an association with witches wearing white (which Nessarose wears in Act II of the Brazilian version, in contrast to Boq’s Act II blue peasant clothing). It’s a subtle detail that helps the story clarify just a bit more and something that I always loved and found interesting from the books. It was a pleasant surprise to see this played out here because it seldom is in various adaptations of Oz media.
Awesome review, impartial and to the point! Hopefully more and more shows continue to come to Brazil 🇧🇷
Loved getting to hear your thoughts on what seems to be an incredible version. The Boq transformation is briefly seen in the B Roll footage & let me tell you my mouth dropped with even the half a second I saw. I feel like a non replica version touring Europe & the US in a few years after the regular tour has really faded away would be fantastic. Really pushing the "See Wicked as you've never seen it before" idea but not sure if there is some sort of restriction on when/where they can do these. Oh & loved the green lighting on half your face :)
I was so eager for this review that I'm watching it during my shift at work. I'd like to hear more about the changes. Hope in the future more brazilian producers invite you to see musicals here with more time and with your fiance. Hugs from Brazil!
Glenda actually dyed Elphaba's hair blonde during popular! Crazy. I also liked the visuals on the giant viewing globe during no good deed where you see Fyro being tortured and also images of her sister and Dr. Dillamond (sp?).
Fabi Bang is our pure gem and nayara (nessa) have such an outstanding voice
Love your videos, really want to hear a full breakdown of the changes between the productions
Small correction; there have been non-replica productions of Wicked for over 12 years. The Finnish production happened 12 years ago and around the same time the Danish production happened as well; both non-replica and fascinatingly designed.
(sorry, my english is horible) Myra is an incredible artist and a juvenile person herself. When she “dances samba” while saying goodbye to the audience, she is just making fun! We don´t dance samba at the end of (almost) any show, specially after a “Broadway musical”!
I saw that video via insta and thought it was such a beautiful moment to see!
Ver elas sambando naquela hora foi muito engraçado e divertido! @@ballerinafromtheblock
Would definitely love a video with all the differences! Feel slightly cheated that we don't get proper flying in the UK, that looked so cool!
I can't believe you were in Brazil in my city being this amazing production. happy you liked it. our theater scene is growing very fast and we are having many wonderful shows here. hope you can visit again to see more of our actors and productions.
The guy who plays Zoltar is Renan Rosiq, also he’s a Fiyero cover.
“Shook, but in Portuguese” omg deaaaad hahah
But there have been Non-Replica production releases of Wicked coming out for years now. Like the one in Helsinki in 2010 and a Danish one in 2011. etc... :)
Yes, but he’s racist and had to keep saying “in Portuguese” over and over and OVER AND OVER! Get it?! It’s not in white American British language English!!! Oh my god! Hey!!?!?
I’m actually kidding but wanted to be a drama queen lol. Rare I get the chance… yes I did notice him say “but in Portuguese” several times.. I laughed first couple times but then became…. “Yes, that’s what language it’s in….” And then he kept saying it….. yes… other countries DO have different languages. Their culture is not a joke…
thanks for coming here to brazil and making this vid mickey! its so important for the brazilian musical theather scenario to get this sort of attention. Like u see and mentioned on the first vlog, a lot of thw theathers here are finatially suported by incs and, specially, banks. I've become a huge fan of wicked in 2018, so i missed the 2016 original production. Even though i got to see it this year, i brought with me my intire family and they all loved. I also couldnt agree more with u with the ups and downs of this production, as a late fan for the original replica, i watched A LOT of "slime tutorials" until march of this year. Even though i had the almost every same criticism as you i must not deny i didnt get so happy and amused and fullfilled watching this version..... again, i must reinforce the importance of people and channel like you/yours to show the world that brazillian market is available and we must get a chance to see almost every production there is!!
i shall also clarify the importance of diva and thiago playing madame morrible and fiyero. Brazil has one of the highest "hatefull actions" against trans community and its so important for us, from brazilian lgbtq+ community here in brazil, to see people like her taking these kinds of places in the society. Also for Thiago and Kabello for being black men taking the main male role in the production as brazil still has huge problems with racism...
i agree with most of what you've said, just wanted to add that the way I interpreted the classroom changes was more like a "different POV", like it didnt change for the students but we as an audience moved to another angle in the same room 😅 also, having watched the replica production with Fabi and Myra in 2016, their growth as performers is just perfec. Fabi's Popular has improved a lot and the props they added for her in this scene just made it 10x better than the original, shame non Brazilian audiences probably wont get half of her little add ons on and jokes
i must say that i got here in this channel because of wicked brazil, and ill leave my subscription. You're so charismatic mickey! Definitely will be watching the other vids
i think that thank goodness gown is amazing for the situation of the song, gives a formal aproach to glinda and just shines perfectly right when she sits on the stairs and sings the sad part, its iconic
Oooooh I would DEF be interested in a video pointing out every minute difference.
I really enjoyed hearing about these differences, but I'd really have liked to know more about the reasons you were invited to review the show in its penultimate performance. As it's already closed, so none of us can see it, why did the creative team pay for you to fly over? Will this production be popping up elsewhere? Were the producers just hoping to excite people about non- replica productions in general?
Maybe the creative team (Ateliê de Cultura) wants to sell the ideas, like the flight mechanism, to other countries? Or maybe they will do a new season like next year or the other, since this one was a hit and tickets were sold out two months before closing.
Wicked Brazil was a huge success, they sold out all the tickets 2 months before the end of the season. They stayed there for 6 months.
The Brazilian theater scenario is a bit different. The number of theaters are limited and the shows are some times sponsored by huge companies like Santander, following some gorvernment rules to reduce the tax. Because all of that, they stay only for a few months. If they want to return, they need new sponsors and a theater.
He made a vlog of his time there and it seems it took a while to confirm all the plans for him going over so that it just ended up being towards the end of the run.
@@HelenRosemarySmith I watched the vlog, but it seemed to me that the offer came pretty last minute. Sounded like the drinks with the creative team went well, so I'll hope for more Brazilian theatre scene content.
Controversial SpongeBob in the back of this wicked video lol 😂
YES please give us a video of all the differences between this production and the usual productions!! would love to hear that!
Thank you for sharing this review, the differences sound fascinating, I would definitely be interested in a follow up video. The Defying Gravity sequence sounds incredible!
YES oh my god i’d looove a full version!
I am Swedish and Wicked is my favorite musical ever ❤️
I am over the moon about the upcoming Swedish production 🥳❗️
It’s a dream come true 🥹🥳
The second act that glindas use a fancy of white dress is reference for musical Evita where Myra plays Evita.
So glad you enjoyed it!!!!!
I am at the point where I'm low key pissed at Wicked Brodway. Mainly because we don't have this AMAZING Defying Gravity.
I see your point, but at this point in the run (and despite the show reliably being in 1mil+ in weekly grosses category), it might be financially prohibitive to alter the staging. Plus they'd have to bring in the unions for approval in changing the staging, added insurance costs, getting safety permits and such from the city. It would be great, but it's unlikely we'll ever see it change.
@ZamTx1 I never said that they should change they should change it. So I don't see the purpose of you comment. Also as a theater industry professional...I already knew everything you pointed out.
I think in a recent German production Elphaba actually flies out over the audience and just hauls to the back of the house then blackout.
I saw the clips of that production looks fabulous bot productions better than uk and USA ….I’d love to see either incorporated into the original versions mickey Jo I’d love to hear your review of the Hamburg flying too
Maybe the change is the classroom set up represents how things are changing and becoming different in their world
Amazing! So cool you got to go and see the show and tell us about it. Would love to hear even more about the differences! 🇧🇷🧙♀️🧹
I'm fascinated by this review! I've watched the original replica Wicked performance in São Paulo years ago, and one of the things that let me down a little at the time were precisely Defying Gravity and the dragon (it was so big and impressive I expected more action from it, but it was barely ever used). I expected something bigger of both, and it seems like this production absolutely delivers all that I wanted, and exchanges the huge static dragon for something more dynamic. I wish I could have seen this one too!
I would LOVE to hear a more in-depth review from you about the specifics. Seeing them dance the samba at the end of the presentation in the other video filled my heart! I love that so much. Non-replica productions are fascinating to me in how they manage to capture the energy and creativity of the countries they are presented in.
Thank you for the review, love your videos!
I am Brazilian and have lived in London for the past 17 years and watch the majority of your videos. Seeing your reviewing you a Brazilian production warms my heart. As I am writing this my mum and sis are seeing The Lion King in São Paulo - I gave them tickets as a gift because I wished they could feel how amazing musicals are (they have seen it in London, but don’t speak English - so finally they will “hopefully” understand what I mean when I say I love musicals). I think Brazil has a huge potential, except the prices there are sour 😭
I'm brazilian and I've seen the broadway production in 2017, cried my eyes out and loved it. Wasn't able to watch the first production in Brazil, but I've seen the non-replica one with my sisters. Also cried my eyes out, obviously, but I agree with most of the "weak parts" pointed out. Specially the Madam Morrible speech and the reveal that Elphaba is alive. The second one I found it to be even sad because it took away such an important and powerful feeling from her coming out of the trap door, an actual surprise! My sisters had never seen it before and did not know the story, so when it got to that part and the end, the were like "is it over? How come?" in a feeling of "this seemed kind of crazy patched together to make sense and finish the story. When I explained how it ends in the original one, they understood it better.
BESIDES THAT: I truly believe that one show aside in Brazil is the audience. If you look up for the last defying gravity from this productions on even the first one, you'll find videos of the audience SHOUTING the lines with them, singing together and its chilling great! HEAVYLY recomend that!!
Great advertisement for theatre in Brazil. Great review..
ALL THE DIFFERENCES! VIDEO CAN BE HOURS LONG, WILL WATCH.
This is really interesting. Looks beautiful. Would love to see it. I've always thought wicked looked good but it's set has never blown me away.
I wish I would have known about it. I have seen Wicked many times in several countries (most often London, even though I live in the U.S.) but I never tire of it. I would have jumped at the chance to see the Brazilian version. I'll have to be more vigilant in the future.
Wicked is my Favorite musical ever ❤️❗️
Great review. I agree in everything you said. The show is amazing, fun and breath-taking. I hope that they return in future, I would love to watch it again. I am so happy that you could watch and present it to an international audience. ❤
... I know the Hamburg staging Elphaba flew up and over and out of the theater at the end of Defying Gravity, that was a smaller smaller theater, but this was equally as good
I would absolutely watch this if there was a streaming pro-recoding. Especially if they had subtitles since I've never seen the show before .
"like she's on a cherry picker" Dead. best line / dig ever.
Seek out the Brazilian production of FOLLIES. A very different perspective, especially in Loveland.
I want to hear it all. The production has closed and I'm gutted I couldn't go. Fascinated by the changes.
You can find the videos of the performance on youtube. The production has closed, but they will probably return next year, i hope in Rio de Janeiro. It was a huge success in São Paulo, the tickets sold out 2 months before the end of the season.
about the Thank Goodness dress: is generic ball gown because it actually is the "Don´t Cry for me Argentina" dress that Myra (actress playing Elphaba) wore last year at this same company production of Evita. It's not a tribute, it's all about recycling
i LOOOVE that. Wish he knew that to mention. Thank you so much for mentioning 🩷❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜
PLEASE a seperate vid of differences :)
usually renan rosiq plays zoltar and it really is one of my favourite things about the production
In the “no replica version” of “one short day” there were some caracters who had “green glasses” and some who didn’t. In the replica version everyone uses “green glasses”, as they were a part of a club (where no one cares about your color), except for Elphaba and Glinda. When they got their own “green glasses” is like they felt to be part of this “magic city”, where they wanted to be. (sorry again, my english is horrible)
I've seen both this version and the replica production in the London West End. I absolutely love both!
NAYARA IS AMAZING!!!!! i loved her soooo much!
Wonderful video! Thank you! (but in Portuguese) Holding my hand up for an addendum video!!!
Fabi bang é ótima! A maior do mundo. A glinda com mais alma e personalidade que ja vi.
We want all the little differences
I’d bottom for all the differences tbh.
I'm so glad the footage of Boq came out online in the last couple days so we could see what happens. I wish replica wicked versions had some of this cool stuff.
Thank you for this international review!! I love a franchise, specially when it’s WICKED which is one of my all time faves (I also saw it like 10 times, London and Broadway), but listening to your comments and having seen some clips of the DG scene, I will definately give it a chance!!
This video is a drinking game. Take a shot every time Mickey says But in Portuguese. You'll be sloshed in no time.
You will be sloshed - but in Portuguese 😉
Yes, please talk about all of the differences!!!
- A Brazilian living in the U.S. that didn’t get a chance to watch
You mentioned that No Good Deed is quite different but you didn't say whether you felt it was better or worse than the original, I'd love to hear more about what made it so different and whether or not those changes were effective.
i've seen videos on tiktok of this. but i'm so baffled.... the expense put into this for a limited production is madness!! how was this financed for a short term run?
I went to see _Wicked_ in the original run and Miriam Margolyes was supposed to be playing Madame Morrible, but she had to pull out due to illness which was devastating. The understudy was fantastic in the role, but I was really looking forward to seeing her, y'know? Alexia Khadime absolutely knocked it out of the park, tho.
Very thorough. Well done.
It's actually the Fieyro actor who plays the wizard in the beginning :)
I watched the Defying Gravity video before yours. I was so thrilled to see Elfiba fly.
There was a production in Hburg just last year that used much the same rig for DG(apparantly it was leftover equipment from that theatre's production of Tarzan) except they only had her fly through the theatre at the very ebd as she belted out her fi al "aahahahah". This one was much more ambitious and looks really cool.
I will say that Maya Ruiz sounded much better in defying gravity when it was a replica show than she does in this production. I don't think they fully solved the problem of belting with nothing to ground you. She wasn't as powerful and her high notes suffered in pitch. Neither were a problem for her before. As much as I love the visuals, I still prefer a stronger vocal performance over Elphaba flying over the audience.
I had a totally different impression over her vocals. In my opinion she is much better this time. Her vocals improved in every aspects. In fact she kept improving until the last performance. She was getting more and more control of it as the weeks passed. The way she performed on the final week completely blew my mind.
@@soulbeliever02 Agreed. I was there on the day that Mickey went, but one session earlier and I was actually blown away by how powerful and incredibly on tune she managed to be while flying around. I still cannot stop thinking about it, days after.
0:50 Slight correction, the first Wicked Non-Replicas opened in 2010/2011 in Copenhagen and Helsinki! Loved to hear your thoughts on this production 💚
also Prague in 2019 :)
I watched the show a weekend away from the last week of the show, and like I kinda can see your point about the Thank Goodness bit, although I think freezing it was a great choice because it shows her realizing her feelings about it all, and I'm almost sure it was also a reference to Evita, which was played by Myra (Elphaba's actress) not so long ago.
Would have loved to have heard your opinion on the German re-vamp. It was very modern - more metal/leather/glitz/plastic regarding the costumes and had a bit of typical American Highschool feeling/look for Shiz. It was also pretty minimalist when it came to the set. I quite liked it: it made sure that the focus was on the character and the storyline- which I do feel lends itself to different interpretations and is strong enough on its own. I wasn't the biggest fan of some of the casting choices but other than that...
You said non-replica productions of Wicked have only happened in the past few years, but actually the first non-replica happened in Helsinki, Finland back in 2010!
I’d love a scene by scene analysis if you can remember. There’s a lot to unpack here! Glinda looks so much like MGM this is what I hope for from the film!
I feel like the portal underneath Elphaba is the crystal ball.