Book & Lyrics by Karen Zacarías
Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma
Published by Dramatic Publishing
Upcoming Productions
Synopsis
A spunky orphan girl on the streets of Rio de Janeiro discovers a new kind of family in this musical with a Brazilian beat inspired by Charles Dickens’s classic novel.
“OLIVÉRio: A Brazilian Twist shines a light on continuing child poverty in our cities today, but ends on a note of hope – all set to a samba beat and brightened with the flamboyant costumes of Carnival.” – Amy Alipio, Our Kids
History
OLIVÉRio: A Brazilian Twist was commissioned by the John F Kennedy Center for the Arts in Washington DC, and was first workshopped at the 2014 New Visions/New Voices Festival under the direction of Scot Reese. It premiered at the Kennedy Center in January, 2016 under the direction of Juliette Carrillo, with music direction by guitarist Richard Miller.
“Zacarías explores the immense socioeconomic inequality in a modern, large Latin American city by telling a familiar story in a way that even an elementary school age child could understand. The message offered within the play, likewise, is an important one for even the youngest theatregoer. Hope can survive.” – Jennifer Perry, BWW Review
Musical Numbers
Buy the demo from Bandcamp.
Featuring Elia Saldana (Oli) Justin Deninger (Zé), Justin Figueroa (Sykes), Scott Graff (Falcao), Eve La Puma (Nanci), Sharmila G. Lash (Iemanja), and the composer (Rosa Maria).
Production Elements
Cast: 4 Women, 3 Men
Female:
DIRECTOR / IEMANJA – Goddess of the Sea, also plays JUDGE (Mezzo)
ACTOR 1 / ROSA MARIA – a fearful rich woman (Alto)
ACTOR 4 / NANCÍ – a world-weary young woman (Alto)
KID in AUDIENCE / OLI – a pure, innocent, kind and smart little girl (Mezzo)
Male:
ACTOR 2 / FALCÃO – a charismatic con man (Baritone)
ACTOR 3 / SYKES – a smooth-talking, crooked, unredeemable policeman (Bari/Tenor)
ACTOR 5 / ZÉ ESQUIVA – a crafty, sly, clever boy (Tenor)
Music: Samba, Bossanova, Baiao, and other traditional Brazilian songs scored for Guitar, Electric Bass, and Percussion. Accompaniment tracks available.
Musical Difficulty: Moderate
Technical Requirements: Minimal
Suggested Audience: Young Audiences/Families
“We are dropped into a colorful world of hope, trust, scandal and choice.” – Asha T’nae, Maryland Theatre Guide
Authors
Purchase
Buy the script from Dramatic Publishing.
Buy the demo from Bandcamp.
Featuring Elia Saldana (Oli) Justin Deninger (Zé), Justin Figueroa (Sykes), Scott Graff (Falcao), Eve La Puma (Nanci), Sharmila G. Lash (Iemanja), and the composer (Rosa Maria).
Buy sheet music at Sheet Music Plus to
Obrigada
Jeitinho Brasileiro
A Little Bit More
A Vida Boa
A Wish Out to Sea
Carnaval Finale
