The magic of ‘Aladdin and the wonderful lamp’, by Danzas Jazz, returns to the Teatro Centro de Arte with a new version

The story of Aladdin and the wonderful lamp It is undoubtedly one of the best-known stories in universal literature that are part of Arabian Nights, but it is worth remembering that the stories that were added to it were done in a disorderly manner to the Arab compilation between the 9th and 16th centuries. The number and titles included in each version vary greatly depending on the collection being consulted. The best-known stories in the West, Sinbad the sailor, Ali Baba and the forty thieves either Aladdin and the Wonderful Lampare much more recent additions to the original corpus.

In the specific case of Aladdindid not appear in any version until Antoine Galland (1646-1715), French orientalist and archaeologist, considered the first European translator of Arabian Nights, included it in his edition. It is said that the translator learned the story through a Syrian Christian, who explained this and fifteen other stories (including that of Ali Baba), which the Frenchman incorporated into the last volume of his edition.

José Miguel Salem, director of Danzas Jazz, returns to the central stage of the Teatro Centro de Arte with this “premiere”, and just in the year in which the group turned 34, the previous August. “Next year there will be 35: that’s already rude,” he says between laughs, while telling about the version on which this musical theater is based, which practically marks the return, in this type of production, after the COVID pandemic.

“The last musical we did was Chicago, which we did in 2019. From there we paralyzed everything since March 2020, when they ‘kept’ us. Definitely, the whole world, especially art and entertainment, died, disappeared, and that’s how we were: paralyzed. From there, this show is the first in which we went out to the public after the pandemic ”.

The first European version of Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, by Galland, in the eighteenth century, was made from a translation of a four-volume Syrian manuscript, and was an immediate bestseller. And then there’s Disney’s magical version, both animated and live-action, but Salem clears that up.

“The show is based on Arabian Nights, the real. As you know, Disney makes his version, which is the one the world knows, but all based on the story of Arabian Nights. I base myself on the version of the book in a more Light, lighter, to make it a musical comedy. I read a book of Arabian Nightsbut original”, highlights José Miguel.

Like any story that belongs to orality, which has been known and taught for many years, it has morals and lessons that are ultimately what motivates audiences of all ages to see it on stage once again. Why bring back this tale in times of likes? “First, because I am of Lebanese descent and therefore I love Arabic music; and, apart from that, I find the story fascinating, the original. Of course, I have made it lighter so that it can be more understandable for children.”

Are the teachings left by Aladdin still valid? José Miguel thinks so. “The beauty of this is that he is a hero who comes from evil, because he is a bazaar thief who steals from everyone who meets a guy, the famous uncle, who convinces him to accompany him to the mountain to take out the lamp and thus keep all the powers in the world. The teaching is basic, because when the boy already has all the powers in his hands, he wants to fall in love with someone, and when the genie comes out and asks all the wishes and the first thing the genie says is: ‘I can help you in everything, but what I can’t is that nobody falls in love with you. You have to fight with your own feelings and power of conviction towards the person you love, and conquer it’. In this version there is a mother who does not exist in the Disney version. She is a super humble woman and Aladdin puts her in this story, but the genie helps him and not her mom. It is when the rudimentary woman is not found, because she believes that she has lost the humble essence of her in this new life of lavishness and riches. The message is beautiful, because suddenly you can achieve everything in life, but there are certain basic things that, no matter how much you have them, if you don’t humanize them and don’t truly give your heart, you won’t get them. The saying that says: “You are so poor that you only have money” is famous. The mother is the one who lands Aladdin so that he does not forget his humility. The message of the work is this, basically”.

The production

on scene of Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp there will be around 20 artists plus extras, totaling about 25 in total, including dancers and actors. “This time I did not do auditions, as I do all my life. I was very punctual and straight to the point, because I know people I already know exactly how they interpret and how they work. From there I called the artist I needed directly, and thank God they have collaborated super well. I have worked with them before.”

José Miguel says that they already had the scenery, props and costumes, but the rehearsal process did last as always: eight weeks. “In that I have not failed. We have also had to resort to social networks to promote the show, things that I have done in my life (laughs). What’s more, I don’t even have TikTok”.

This production is the return of Jazz Dances to the Teatro Centro de Arte. “Yes, around almost eight or nine years. I have worked at the Art Center many times, but hired for other shows or musicals, but not as Jazz Dances. What’s more, when I have introduced my students to the schools it has been there; I have never moved that. I’ve practically done my career there.”

artistic sheet

With scenery that emulates an Arab bazaar, the sultan’s palace and the magic cave, with more than 200 costume pieces. More than 18 dancers and several singers on stage.

Direction and general production:

Cast:

• Juan Jose Jaramillo (Aladdin)
• Nicole Rubira (princess)
• Ariel Zoller (magician)
• Jackson Peralta (evil wizard)
• Patricio Lopez (sultan)
• Yvonne Hidalgo (sultana)

Functions:

Saturday, September 24, at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, September 25, at 6:00 p.m.

Tickets:

$25, $35 and $45 (for all ages), for sale at Ticketshow (website, Riocentro Entre Ríos and Ceibos islands) and at TCA ticket offices.