El Sol de PR newspaper
Caguas, July 20, 2022 – Captivating, emotional and inspiring the performance of Víctor Santiago, as the blessed Carlos Manuel Cecilio Rodríguez Santiago, known as “Charlie” in the staging of Charlie, the Musical. Víctor, is transformed in an incredibly moving way, which gives way to a whirlwind of emotions that are the delight of the spectator. You have to see how Villalbeño flows all over the stage, comfortable, at ease and confident. His voice projects clarity, it’s brilliant, perfect, and he’s obviously a highly disciplined artist.
The work moves, inspires and manages to connect with the public present. The assistants reflected in their faces a special glow that was only caused by what they experienced there. It is a script by Father Orlando Lugo Pérez, with an interesting proposal that intertwines our history as a people, with the universal conflicts around the fears that human beings feel when facing spirituality and the life of faith. The intention of the musical is to make the public travel back in time in the 50s, particularly to the University of Puerto Rico, the Río Piedras campus where the blessed worked at the Catholic University Center. The Work achieves that we identify with each of the characters. And for the younger audience, it allows them to discover a rhythmic piece, full of joy that invites them to live life with enthusiasm and commitment.
The perfectly synchronized performances manage to maintain scenic coherence, while the conflict and the requirements of the dramatic action proposed by its author are presented. Angel Manuel, Herman O’neill, Mariana Quiles, Luis Obed Velázquez Cuevas, Carlos Vega, Luz Marina Cardona Torres, Ana Cristina Malavé, Eric Yamil Cruz Meléndez and Cyd Marie Fleming were part of this piece, each putting their stage skills to give life to their characters; and they do it exceptionally.
The general production of Charlie is in charge of Isamel Hernández and Joel Enrique Rivera from Grupo Meyta and Padre Orlando Lugo from Talento Libre. The producer describes the musical work as an achievement for all Puerto Ricans by making the life of the blessed known and says that “we should all aspire to live a life with purpose.”
The great actress Magali Carrasquillo joins this theatrical proposal to interpret the character of Charlie’s grandmother who is currently played by Aidita Encarnación and who due to previous commitments will not be able to be in the functions of Juana Díaz, Magali who, in addition to being an actress, sings and dances he has been able to rehearse with the cast and his face lights up at having the opportunity to participate in the musical that everyone is talking about. In addition, the actor Luis Felicier is incorporated who replaces Eric Yamil and the actress Lynette Torres to give life to the character of Agueda, Don Jaime Benitez’s secretary in the piece.
Charlie, The Musical will now be presented for the last time at the Juana Díaz Fine Arts Center, on Saturday, August 13 and Sunday, August 14. Tickets can be purchased at ticketera.com.
CHARLIE, THE MUSICAL SAYS FAREWELL – El Sol Newspaper of Puerto Rico