The piece A Very Special Day, starring Reynaldo Gianecchini and Maria Casadevall, premieres on October 17th at the Sérgio Cardoso Theater in São Paulo. The play is an adaptation of the Italian film A particular day (1977), directed by Ettore Scola, and marks Gianecchini's return to the stage in a phase he defines as “more selective” in his career.
At 51, the actor says the production has impacted him in many ways, including reconnecting with his Italian roots. "I just got my citizenship. I was there when I received the invitation to do this play and I accepted. I'm even producing it," he said in an interview.
Directed by a Brazilian artist and incorporating elements of a musical, the play blends serious themes with lightness and humor. The story takes place in Rome during an official visit by Adolf Hitler to the city, when a housewife and a gay neighbor meet by chance. The friendship between the two changes both their lives, in a plot that addresses repression, loneliness, and self-discovery.
Artistic and personal involvement
Gianecchini points out that the project allows him to explore areas beyond acting. “It involves music, it involves singing, which is something that has also been drawing me in. Music has been a part of my life for a while now,” he stated. He had already participated in a musical the previous year, which rekindled his interest in this genre.
The actor also commented on his new approach to rehearsals. "In the past, rehearsals were nerve-wracking for me. Today, I think there's a lot of joy in starting from scratch and letting your creativity flow," he said.
In addition to acting, Gianecchini is involved in the production of the play. According to him, the process has been both joyful and challenging. "We are discovering, every day, the beauty of these characters, the beauty of this story," he stated.
A Very Special Day presents an adaptation with a Brazilian twist, without losing the essence of the Italian original. The idea is to maintain the strength of the plot, but bring it closer to a Brazilian audience through cultural references and new aesthetic approaches.
official synopsis
Rome, May 6, 1938. While Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler forge a political alliance in a grand parade, Antonietta, a mother of six, stays at home. A bird escapes and enters through the window of her neighbor Gabriele, who has been fired from the radio station for being gay and is threatened with imprisonment. Isolated from the historical event, the two establish an intimate and unexpected dialogue that transforms their lives.
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