Denisse Dibós returns to the stage with “Let me tell you”, a tribute to the women of Chabuca Granda

A month ago, on the agenda of Denisse Dibós There were no rehearsals, costume or makeup fittings, photo shoots, or Zoom interviews around “Let me tell you,” for one simple reason: the musical was not in their plans. “This has come out from one moment to the next. We really wanted to go back to being present, but due to the pandemic, the possibility of returning to the Municipal Theater was still a long way off. For this reason, when the opportunity to present ourselves at La Cúpula (a space that is currently in high demand for its comfort, ventilation and because people feel safe) presented itself, we took it and said yes before having anything (cast, costumes, etc.) ” .

The director of Preludio says that in addition to returning to the stage, this time she saw a window to show her feelings for everything that happened in our country in the last year. “If I want to put something on the scene, due to the political situation we are experiencing, it is this play. What I mean by this show is what, I’m sure, Chabuca would say if he saw a country as divided as it is now. She would raise her voice, she would be singing to her sleeping beauty, begging us to rise to its highest peak and stretch out our arms to all Peruvians to stop this frightening division into which we have fallen. Our goal is to vindicate the artist who loved her country, the one she described so well in her songs, ”says Dibós.

The actress adds that another of the reasons why they chose this musical is because Chabuca’s work transcends classes, generations and creeds (religious, political, etc.) and, according to her proposal, is a vehicle to reconcile and reconnect. “Art unites us, music unites us, Chabuca unites us.”

A new version

“Let me tell you” is a musical that premiered in 2016 and was re-presented in 2017 with some changes. The revamped version is essentially the same, but in a different format. In this case, and due to the transfer of the usual space -from the Municipal Theater to the Dome of the Arts-, the scenography, costumes and other aspects had to be modified. Likewise, the biosecurity protocols due to the pandemic required some variations, such as the duration of the show that will not have two acts, to avoid an intermission and that people have to live together longer than allowed. The result is a theatrical concert of the most emblematic themes of the Peruvian singer-songwriter.

How do you tell the same story without repeating itself?

I believe that Chabuca provides for thousands of versions and reruns. There are always going to be ways to give it a different angle. This time, for example, the twist was born from one of the themes that moved me a lot in the pandemic: female empowerment. I have lived and seen very closely how women with few resources managed, united, resorted to and did everything to support their families. That was what interested me to highlight in the work, we talked about it with Juan Pablo Lostanau and César Vega –the directors who accompany us in this rerun– and that’s how we got to the women of Chabuca. Chabuca itself represents various shades of this empowered woman: the mother (tender, loving), the artist, the Chabuca that builds bridges between social and economic classes, and the Chabuca that empowers women and encourages them to continue giving it. all for his country.

That said, we reviewed the repertoire we had and one of the songs we found was “Un barco ciego”, in which Chabuca describes herself. “Like me, the sea turns and stirs …”, in that song we felt that the choreography could take another turn and it was that of the empowered woman. The choreography changes briefly in some moments, it has different nuances and we give it its touch with the costumes, a different tailcoat-style suit for women. These ideas continue to give us material to create, the same Chabuca continues to give us them.

Will they include other topics?

They are the same and for the duration of the show, we have stayed with the meat.

What is the cast’s favorite or most vibe with?

We are in these discussions all the time and we do not agree (laughs). Sometimes we say, the most partying, our version of “Fine stamp”, which is a celebration of life. But later someone says “José Antonio”, the sailor, the paso horse … And then, around there, they ask, “The flower of cinnamon”? The producers mention, “Le Vals Créole”, because it is a gem, a very intimate waltz with just a few steps. So, we cannot choose just one.

Taking into account the professionals who participate in the work, how do you avoid showing off a single figure?

In Chabuca there are no protagonists. At the beginning, before being certain that Juan Antonio de Dompablo, our guest tenor, was going to be able to accompany us in the nine performances, we had proposed the concert of the empowered women of Chabuca. They were going to be, at that time, Mónica Dueñas, the first voice of Peru Negro many years ago, a great interpreter who knew Peruvian music; Sandra Muente, who also has a beautiful voice, in another color and with a totally different timbre from Mónica’s and who makes a beautiful opposition to her, vocally speaking; and Lali Guimarey, who is one of the best voices that Peru has. And Emilia Drago and I who, being actresses who dance and sing, complement the ensemble to be a musical. However, we were fortunate that the tenor was able to specify this invitation and be with us. It’s great because a tenor brings virtuosity to the soundtrack and also helps us, in some way, to clarify. The musical has been further enriched by her presence, but it is still a cast of strong women where no one stands out or overshadows anyone.

What projects will you present in the short term?

We are programming a nice family musical for Christmas; We are also looking at the possibility of resuming the musical “Mothers” – which last year, three days after the premiere, we had to suspend due to the pandemic. If all is well next year (I hope so), we want to return to the Municipal Theater and do the second part of “Todos Volver”, the musical from Peru. And well, continue with the workshops for young and old that we have taught since Prelude began 23 years ago. The pandemic has moved me a lot with the subject of the workshops and now I feel more committed than ever.

The data:

“Let me tell you” will premiere on November 11 and will be presented, in the Dome of the Arts in Jocley Plaza, in nine performances until November 14. Tickets from S / 42 at lacupuladelasartes.com