The show features music from the famed flamenco pop band The Gipsy Kings. The cast belts out number after fabulous number and the effect is infectious. The Gypsy troupe executes huge dance numbers in bright, exotic costumes. They dance with spirited passion and combine to beautiful effect. I was particularly impressed with outstanding dancers Serena Concepcion and Any Dalay; Dalay, as the youngest of the Gypsies, exhibits a poise and confidence to rival any of her co-stars.
The amount of work that went into these performances is evident as the dance moves were crisp and tight where they needed to be and alternately flowing and sensual. (Credit is due to choreographer Manny Castro, Jr.) The freedom in the spirit of the Gypsies really shines through.
Rebecca Diaz is perfect as Inez, the voluptuous Gypsy Queen. She is overflowing with confidence and sexuality and owns the stage whenever she is on it.
Macia McGeorge portrays Ramon with controlled and calculated malevolence. Ramon operates under a sense of righteousness in his evildoings, and McGeorge infuses a quality of grace into an otherwise detestable character. McGeorge’s portrayal is such that you can sympathize with him even at his worst.
Seth Trucks as Don Alejandro maximizes his minimal stage time with a very heartfelt and moving performance. In a dual role, he is also half of one of the most exciting live sword duels I have witnessed. All of the fight scenes were well-choreographed (Michael Engelmann) and well-executed.
The charismatic youth actors Martin Farjado (Young Diego), Mia Alessandra (Young Luisa), and Miguelangel Cubillos (Young Ramon) look so natural on stage. Their professionalism is remarkable and their joy in the finale was contagious.
I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of comedic elements contained in this show. Tommy Paduano as Sergeant Garcia was hilarious, and many little humorous bits and witty quips are peppered throughout the show, bringing a bit of levity to the seriousness of the struggle of the peasants looking to Zorro to liberate them.
Lito Becerra does simply phenomenal job as “the man behind the mask,” the famous trickster, El Zorro. Performing backflips and one-handed cartwheels, Becerra is every bit as nimble and indeed fox-like as his nickname, “El Zorro” suggests. His aerial acrobatics are thrilling and graceful. The beautiful stunts that he performs on the Cirque-de-Soleil-like silks were choreographed by Sebastian Gil, who along with Javier Valle fills out the trio of synchronized aerialists.
Luisa, played by Shalia Sakona, goes through an evolution onstage as her character undergoes a number of trials. Sakona really displays her skills in the song and dance duets with Becerra.
Overall, I love the way all of the different relationships are portrayed. This musical is ultimately about love: between friends, between family members, between couples, and between communities, and I walked out of the play feeling that love.
Zorro the Musical has four performances left: Friday, April 13 at 8pm; Saturday, April 14 at 2pm and 8pm, and the final show on Sunday, April 15, at 2pm. Tickets for the shows can be purchased online through zorro.brownpapertickets.com or through goldstar.com, or by phone at 800-838-3006.
Miami Theater Center, 9806 NE 2nd Ave, Miami Shores, FL 33138
