The musical Smiles and tears opens on September 27 at the Teatro Arena Coliseum in Madrid in a production directed by Jaime Azpilicueta and starring Silvia Luchetti and Carlos Hipólito. The investment in this musical is 3 million euros and more than 200,000 spectators have already seen the work because the assembly has gone through several cities in Spain to reach Madrid. The production effort is very large because it is a team of more than 100 people, 26 artists, 10 live musicians, 22 stage changes and 140 costumes.
Smiles and tears will probably be the only musical that opens this season in the Gran Vía Madrileña, so it can be a good option to spend with the kids as a family an afternoon full of emotions. Because if there is something for which the musical Smiles and Tears stands out, it is because of the emotion that the attendees who contemplate, in the three hours that the work lasts, the Austrian family of the Von Trapp shows their love and adoration of their country until he managed to execute his secret escape plan to stay free from the Nazi threat.
Although until that moment we can see all the evolutions of the family and especially the passions that arise between the innocent novice and the disciplined captain. The performances of Carlos Hipólito and Silvia Luchetti are wonderful, the first with a sense of rhythm and mastery of the scene that impresses and the second with a contagious passion in everything he does to achieve, and he manages to get it, to approach the children to their father through music and the recognition of their emotions.
Smiles and tears It is considered one of the most popular musicals in history and has been seen by more than 45 million viewers in 24 countries. In the representation that takes place in Madrid, the scenography stands out, consisting of great sets, which evoke the Austria of the 40s. In addition, music and lyrics, in their original language, are two of the most recognized composers of the genre: Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II who created unforgettable songs like 'Do Re Mi', 'Edelweiss' or 'Climb mountains'.
The musical I think is suitable for children from 8 or 9 years old or smaller if they are used to this type of long shows. Younger age seems to me that you run the risk of getting bored although there are always functions for groups in which they may feel more comfortable.
And we always have too admire the movie version with the direction of Robert Wise and with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plumer as protagonists. It is an always wonderful movie to watch and that was awarded five Oscars and two Golden Globes.
The musical lasts 120 minutes but with the break you can easily reach three hours. The adaptation of the work is by Miguel Antelo, the direction of Jaime Azpilicueta and the musical direction of Julio Awad, The performers, protagonists and cast, are great although I loved the housekeeper, they are: Silvia Luchetti, Carlos Hipólito , Carlos J. Benito, Noemí Mazoy, Loreto Valverde, Jorge Lucas, Yolanda García, Paris Martín. Y especially children who are splendid in all musical numbers in which they participate.
We like the musical organization: Vertigo Tours, Drive Entertainment, Fluge, Riga Cultural Activities and Qué Arte for the invitation they have given us to enjoy the show.
