★★★★★ A hurricane of energy overwhelms the stage of Lola Membrives, floods the room and seems to extend to Corrientes avenue. That force of nature is called Nicolás Vázquez and he is one of the best comedians that the Buenos Aires scene has seen in recent years.
Here he demonstrates not only his proverbial acting talent but also the remarkable ability to sing, dance and chameleonically transform into two intense, opposite and charming characters. On the one hand, that of Santiago Dorsey, a frustrated and curmudgeonly actor who must deal with auditions where he is not chosen due to his self-demand and commitment. On the other, that of Dorita Sánchez, an energetic and unknown musical actress who prevails over the whims of a despotic director, and wins immediate success due to her seductive charisma. Undoubtedly, Vázquez achieves a turning point in his solid career and establishes himself with an interpretive triumph that only deserves admiration and praise.
The show “Tootsie” is based on the 1982 American film of the same name, the romantic farce directed by Sydney Pollack, where Dustin Hoffman played an actor who loses his job due to his problematic character and decides to audition for a soap opera dressed as women. He not only gets a character, but also becomes a television media star thanks to his appearance in fiction set in a hospital. In the New York stage version, with a book by Robert Horn, and music and lyrics by David Yazbek, the casting in which the protagonist shines and the personal and work vicissitudes he goes through revolve around a musical.
The intelligent local adaptation directed with precision by Mariano Demaría, leaves behind the showiness of that genre, the choreographies and songs, but leans towards situation comedy. All unfolded with a very good rhythm, to which the oiled and attractive set and visual design of Tato Fernández contributes. In this way, Vázquez’s natural histrionics, omnipresent throughout the show, finds an effective counterpoint in the rest of the cast. Especially in the excellent performances of the hilarious Maida Andrenacci, as the reckless ex-girlfriend, the spark of Vivian El Jaber, in charge of the drunken businesswoman, and the flexible and beautiful Julieta Nair Calvo, Dorita’s eventual partner. In addition, it is worth noting Francisco Andrade, as the clumsy gallant
The quality seal of Gustavo Yankelevich’s production rounds off what is undoubtedly one of the best artistic proposals of the year. Don’t miss it, fun is guaranteed.
