As of today (01/05/), registration is open for the cast selection for the show Avenida Q, one of the most successful Broadway musicals that, in 2015, will be staged in Fortaleza. Avenida Q, winner of the three most important Tony Awards in 2004 (Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book), has presentations scheduled for the month of July at Teatro ViaSul, a mega-show with actors-singers, puppets, large sets and band live.
Until the premiere, a long process will be experienced in the city, as the intention of the producers is to involve a large number of local professionals in the assembly. Thus, those interested in performing in the musical can now register, according to the regulations on the website www.avenidaq.com. In all, nine artists will be selected, seven for the permanent cast and two substitutes. The registration period runs until February 10th.
In addition to presenting the population with an irreverent and fun show, the realization of Avenida Q in Fortaleza aims to professionalize artists and technicians from Ceará to produce large-scale shows; enhance local scenic spaces; and inserting Ceará into the musical theater circuit.
Broadway musicals are part of a noble genre of international theater, complex to produce, with several of their shows running for decades in the United States and London. Brazil has already established itself as the third largest market for this type of production, with the cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo being the main headquarters in the country. The production of the musical Avenida Q in Fortaleza is the city’s debut in this prestigious and restricted circuit.
Cearense filmmaker Allan Deberton heads the project together with director André Gress, and explains a little about how the idea started: “I watched the show in 2009 at Teatro Clara Nunes (RJ) and fell in love. In addition to being fun, it is an up-to-date, critical show with very intelligent humor. I reviewed it five times! The musical was so successful in Brazil that it even had a fan club! It was a dream to ride in Ceará. We acquired international rights in 2012, that’s when I met André Gress, now a great friend and key partner. Our Avenida Q promises to amuse, thrill and impress. It is the first Broadway musical officially put together in our state. We are working with a strong team, creating and transforming here”.
Avenida Q in Fortaleza will offer, in addition to tickets at affordable prices, social benefits such as the distribution of part of the tickets to public school students and the donation of the net income of a night of presentation to a charity institution to be defined.
Correios presents the musical Avenida Q, produced by the Ministry of Culture, with cultural support from Ceara Motos, Ceara Motor, Fazauto and Newland.
The plot
With a Brazilian version by Claudio Botelho, the musical has been censored for 14 years, is staged with puppets and tells the story of Princeton, a young graduate who dreams of living on Avenida A, in New York. However, because of his financial conditions, he ends up on Q Avenue, the only place where his little money allows him to pay the rent on a house. On Q Avenue, where the whole play takes place, Princeton finds receptive neighbors like Brian and Neuza. Brian deals with unemployment and dreams of becoming a comedian, while Neuza, known to friends as “JapaNeuza”, is a psychologist without patients. Also live at the site are Trekkie, monster, Kate, a kindergarten teacher, Nick and Rod, roommates, and janitor Gary Coleman. The show, made up of actors and puppets, is about course, fears, dreams, desires to win and to be happy.
Cast selection
Those interested in being part of Avenida Q should pay attention to the show’s website and social networks. As of January 5th, registration will begin for the selection of the cast, according to the regulations available on the website. Renowned professionals will participate in the preparation of the cast, such as the puppet handler, Zé Clayton, and the musical director, Miguel Briamonte. Zé Clayton has been working for over 25 years in the creation, development and construction of puppets and characters. He is an actor, manipulator and manipulation director and has brought to life several characters from TV, theater and cinema. Clayton played Priscila at the opening of the show TV Colosso/Rede Globo, created by designer Hans Donner; Jotalhão, a character from Maurício de Sousa’s Turma da Mônica; the dolls from the movie Castelo Rá-Tim-Bum/TV Cultura; participated in the programs TV Xuxa, TV Globinho, Turma do Didi, Casseta and Planeta and currently plays the Counselor of Sítio do Picapau Amarelo. He was the manipulation director of the Rio de Janeiro montage of Avenida Q (2009). Miguel Briamonte, awarded composer, is one of the most versatile Brazilian artists, also involved in the production and musical direction of several of the greatest shows presented in Brazil, in memorable partnerships with Jorge Takla, José Possi Neto, Jorge Fernando, Cacá Rosset, Hugo Possol among others. Briamonte was musical director and conductor of the musicals “Cats”, “A Bela ea Beast”, “Chicago”, “The Phantom of the Opera”, “Sweet Charity”, “Peter Pan”, “Castelo Rá-tim-bum” and “Miss Saigon”. He composed and directed the soundtrack for the feature film “Salve Geral”, awarded for best soundtrack at the Ribeirão Preto Film Festival.
