Elvis’ interpreter details preparation for musical and reflects on the King of Rock’s career

Responsible for transforming the lives of Elvis Presley in a true spectacle, Elvis: A Musical Revolution arrived in São Paulo on August 1st, at Teatro Santander — where it will continue to be shown until December 1st.

The production took place in cities in Australia and the United States and was directed, edited and adapted by Miguel Falabellawhich is accompanied by Jorge de Godoy in musical direction and Barbara War in choreographic direction.

Leandro Lima and Daniel Haidar alternate the role of Elvis on dates specified on the Sympla website, where tickets for the play are being sold. Luiz Fernando Guimaraes lives the Colonel Parker.

The actor, model and singer Leandro Lima recalled the career of the so-called King of Rock, whose death completes 47 years this Friday, 16th, in an interview with Rolling Stone Brazil.

“I already wanted to explore this musical side”, he confessed. File. “I didn’t really know where to start, because I know it’s very complex.And now, more than ever, I know.But when I found out there was going to be a musical Elviswith the Falabella… ANDI already had a vocal region similar to his [Elvis]a biotype that could work.”

“So I went to the audition, I auditioned like any other actor.And then yes, I passed that test and was invited.And so, I think I couldn’t be in a better place in the world of musicals,being directed by Miguel in such a grand musical,” he continued.

If I could meet with Elvis alive, I would say: ‘VYou are one of the greatest talents I have ever seen in my life. You created something unique,but you need to look outside a little bit. You need to find a way to get out of this golden cageand look at the world outside.This is the only way you have to save your life.’

Preparation

Since adolescence, File was compared with Elvis Presley: “My first girlfriend — I think I was 17 —,she was a big fan of Elvisand I remember watching some stuff, some clips,of her having pictures of Elvis and say I looked like him.”

“And I was already singing, so she said: ‘Your timbre sounds like that of Elvis‘. MOf course it could be a fan thing in love with the idoland in love with her boyfriend,” she said. “But I think that’s the closest memory I have of him.And besides, I’ve always listened to the songs, my whole life.”

The physical resemblance and vocal range of File helped, but it wasn’t enough.”Preparation starts with deeper research. Tin many things that we know about Elvis in the popular unconscious, because he is a very strong figure for everyone”, pondered the actor.

The research performed by the interpreter Elvis went through the artist’s “personality traits”: “Andit was the thing we most wanted to portray,that Human Elvisbecause the Elvis Superstar is what people know best“.

File also visited Graceland, the mansion where the star lived and died, in Memphis, Tennessee. There, he asked for “lighting” and “permission to play this role”. The actor confessed that “the house itself did not add much” to his preparation for the play: “Graceland has now become Elvisland.I didn’t like it that much“. However, there were “cathartic” moments during his trip:

In Memphis, the city, I was in a studio, at Sun Studio,which remains identical to what it was in the 50s and 60s. I was very emotional and felt a creative energy,an energy of wonderful musicians who passed by there,as the BB King, Elvis, Johnny Cash,Jerry Lee Lewis…So, there at Sun Studio it was really cathartic — and also the restaurant he always frequented.I sat at his table — I even got goosebumps the moment I sat down —, I asked for what he always asked for,which was a very strange sandwich, bread, peanut butter, banana and bacon.I can’t explain the flavor to you, but it’s very peculiar.That was interesting too.

Public reception

Elvis: A Musical Revolution changed the view of Leandro on Elvisjust as it may have changed that of the audience that watched the show.

“Before I only saw the Elvis as a great voice, a great interpreter,an exceptional musician,” he said File. “But now I have an intimacy. I can say that I am his friend today.That’s how I consider myself. I know a lot about his life.About his music, how it was born, where the references came from.So, it’s changed a lot.”

The actor also offered his point of view on the audience’s reception: “A person very close to me was watching, on the day of the VIP premiere, the people coming in, wanting to know what it was…She even heard a comment like this, ‘Let’s see what this handsome guy is up to.Let’s see if he really sings‘.But surprisingly, we’ve only received great reviews.”

“A lot of people are leaving emotional, especially the biggest fans, who are the true Elvis connoisseurs. They leave very emotional and happy with the work,” he added.
Lima also gave his opinion on what Elvis would think when he saw his life transformed into theater:

I think you can only know what the Elvis I would think if he were alive. But, knowing his emotional instability, he could have loved it, gotten emotional, or he could have gotten pissed off and forbidden us from doing the play. He was very unstable. […] So, I don’t know if he would like it. He would either love it or hate it. Anything is possible.