Ronny Dutra Brings Wicked to São Paulo This Spring

New York City-based director and choreographer Ronny Dutra will be bringing an all-new, non-replica version of the beloved musical, Wicked to Sao Paulo, Brasil. The production will debut on March 20, 2025.

The inspiration for this non-replica version of Wicked for Brasil will enhance the book and songs, with the help of new technology and a full understanding of what the show means to audiences.

Ronny Dutra shares, “The invitation came from the Producers. After having worked with Stephen on their last production of the show in 2023 , the production Team was able to get to know a bit of my work and we’ve been in touch ever since. Love at first flight!”

With everyone coming together to celebrate the recent film adaptation of Wicked starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, there is now a new appreciation for the musical.

“With the film coming out and its massive global reach, the name Wicked is in everyone’s mouth and it just felt right to do justice to a new vision – blessed by Stephen himself -  that enhances the book and songs with new top notch technology and full understanding of what the show truly means to nowadays society, it’s more relevant than ever!”

Having worked on productions like Wicked and Pippin in Brazil, Ronny Dutra aims to approach  adapting iconic musicals for a Brazilian audience while maintaining their global appeal.

Dutra says, “The step is to understand the material. Fully. Every line, every note, everything that has been written,  and most importantly,  what hasn’t been written. The nuance. The details between the lines. Once you identify that, the next step is to look into the version of the show in the new language (Portuguese) and understand how to bring those same colors and understandings to this new language and what part of it I can dig to make it relevant to the local culture while maintaining the general message.”

Wicked, originally written for English speaking audiences, will need to be adapted to appeal to an entirely different audience, which is a task Dutra is taking on as director.

“It’s tricky. Because certain things that work for an American audience wont work for a Brazilian audience. The beauty of it all is that it gives us opportunities to find what actually works for the local culture and how to best cross the Broadway-Brazil bridge while telling the same story.”

One of the most exciting or challenging parts of reimagining Wicked for a Brazilian audience, Dutra shares, is how passionate Brazilian audiences are in general, and he is excited to bring his work to his roots.

“Brazilians are very passionate people.  When we like something we LOVE it! Wicked has been done in Brazil twice, in 2016 as a replica and 2023 as a non-replica. Both times the show was directed by non-brazilian directors.  It’s truly an honor to be able to come back to Brazil after having spent 13+ years studying and working in NYC. It’s a full circle moment in many ways. I love my Brazilian roots and I know how passionate our people are about the show. We have an unbelievably talented cast that I’m very much looking forward to working with and creating this new vision for the show.”

These exciting opportunities do not come without challenges, however. Wicked is one of the most well known musicals out there, and with that comes high expectations.

“Of course, a show like Wicked is a monster of a production and getting all the technical elements lined up in order for our vision to come to life is a huge challenge.  We’ve been working round the clock for the last 6 months and I’m confident in what has been imagined but there certainly is a huge gap between Ideas and execution.  Luckily we’re supported by the best professionals in the industry and I’m positive we’ll have a great show come March 20th.” 

Ronny Dutra’s journey to bring a non-replica version of Wicked to Brazil is a testament to his deep understanding of storytelling and his commitment to honoring both the original material and the unique cultural lens of Brazilian audiences. As the production gears up for its debut on March 20, 2025, Dutra’s vision promises a fresh perspective that bridges Broadway’s grandeur with the vibrant spirit of Brazil. With passionate audiences, a talented cast, and cutting-edge technology, this adaptation of Wicked is set to soar to new heights, offering a meaningful and unforgettable experience for theater lovers in São Paulo and beyond.