Review: SIDDHARTHA, THE MUSICAL at Teatro Moncayo PALCCO

Last weekend, "Siddhartha, The Musical" returned to Guadalajara for its 2nd round of shows.

The musical based on the novel by Herman Hesse, tells the story of a young man destined to be king, who decides to abandon a life full of golden luxury in search for answers and inner light.

"Siddhartha" is a difficult story to tell on stage, but the creative team behind the show definitely found a way to captivate the audience while paying respect to the words written by Hesse.

You definitely could see the new improvements compared to the last time they were in town.

New video mapping elements dressing the stage and a lighting design played accordingly with every scene. The combination of cold colors with warmer colors to accentuate every character and beat of the music was a great plus and really made you appreciate what was happening at every moment.

The costumes are vibrant in colors and hindi details, but they also play a huge a part onstage, since they're made to fit the scenery, the lighting and are also used as props; something that not many people pull off.

The choreographies are amazing, choreographer Edgar Reyes printed hindi movements into them keeping us on the right time frame, but didn't hold back using breakdancing moves representing struggle and strength. We could also appreciate choreographed fights that were really precise. The dancers (and let's remember half of them are Mexican and the other half Italian) never lowered their energy; they surprised us with circus elements and movements that were also used as part of the scenery during various moments.

Up to here, we can appreciate the work of the creative team, unifying so many different elements that should always commune with each other, with this you realize that the team really worked together and brought their "A game" in every matter.

The music, composed by Fabio Codega, resembles a Hollywood movie. Using hindi bars to let us know where we're at, but playing with classical and contemporary writing as well (by contemporary I mean rock, electric guitar rock people!). I especially fell in love with "Vida", which gave me goosebumps up to the top of my head; but I want to point out that, somehow, every song is different but still within the same line, taking you by the hand to comprehend the story.

When chatty people go silent... I know music's good.

I have to give merit to Giorgio Adamo, playing the lead, even though he's been in the show for over 4 years now, as an Italian actor reciting and singing in Spanish for just this version of the show is really appreciated by the Mexican audience. The rest of the cast is Mexican, specifically from Guadalajara (except for Luis Gerardo Ayala, who's from Monterrey). Everyone does astounding jobs and they seem very connected on stage.

"Siddhartha, The Musical" has traveled the world with its Italian cast and they always do the Italian version, so it's deeply valued that they have a Spanish version just for their shows in Mexico.

"Siddhartha, The Musical" played last Thursday June 28, Friday June 29 and Saturday June 30 at 8:30pm at Teatro José Pablo Moncayo inside of PALCCO.

We sincerely hope they keep taking their message of hopefulness around the world.