The actress Vania Canto protagonist of the musical “Hairspray” spoke about her relationship with the show, which premieres in São Paulo this Thursday (5). In addition to mentioning the beginning of her career in covers, ensembles and swings of musicals, the artist mentioned the “standard” expected to conquer certain roles.
In a press conference held this Wednesday (4), Vânia said that this will be her seventh show at Teatro Renault, the venue that will host the musical in the capital of São Paulo. “’Hairspray’ is a show that I always wanted to do, it has everything to do with me and my story”, she begins by saying.
She then talks about having worked for a long time in the chorus of musicals. “It’s a job that I love very much and I think it’s a job that isn’t always, in fact, never as valued as the main characters.”
Set in the 1960s in Baltimore, United States, the plot tells the story of Tracy, an optimistic teenager who dreams of dancing on a local TV show. To do so, the young woman challenges social prejudices and beauty standards, fighting for equality and racial integration, while pursuing her own dreams.
“I don’t know if I would have played Tracy any other way, if I hadn’t gone through all these ensembles, covers and swings. This gives you a resistance, an experience, which were fundamental for me to present myself as a protagonist here today.”
Finally, she mentions the importance given to the standard. “This is nothing, it doesn’t matter what my body is, it doesn’t matter if I’m thin, if I’m fat, I want to dance, I want to sing, I want to show my art and it’s not fair that only some can be artists and can show themselves”, she says.
“We, ‘non-standard’ artists, we don’t want a spot because we are ‘non-standard’, we want a spot because we are good. We want to be a star, because what we present has quality. […] I want to conquer this space with the body I have”, he concludes.
In addition to entertainment, the musical addresses important themes such as racism, acceptance and inclusion. The show highlights the fight for racial integration and breaking beauty stereotypes. The story became popular in Broadway in 2002. However, the plot is inspired by an American film of the same name released in 1988. The feature film even won a remake starring John Travolta in 2007.
In addition to a great cast, the actor and singer Tiago Abravanel is responsible for directing and acting in the play as Edna Turnblad, Tracy’s mother. See photos in the gallery above.
SERVICE
“Hairspray: in search of fame” in São Paulo
Where: Renault Theater — 411 Brigadier Luis Antonio Ave., Republica, Sao Paulo (SP)
When: September 5th to October 13th
Tickets: available on the Tickets For Fun (T4F) website.
This content was originally published in “I want to conquer space with the body I have”, says the protagonist of “Hairspray” on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m Robert Neff, a professional writer and editor. I specialize in the entertainment section, providing up-to-date coverage on the latest developments in film, television and music. My work has been featured on World Stock Market and other prominent publications.
