Sentimental Men: Episode 71 - An Elphaba Like No Other (with Myra Ruiz) Summary

Released on May 16, 2025 by the Broadway Podcast Network

Hosts:

• Quincy Brown
• Kevin Bianchi

Introduction

In Episode 71 of Sentimental Men, Quincy Brown and Kevin Bianchi delve deep into the world of musical theatre by spotlighting Myra Ruiz, the renowned Brazilian actress celebrated for her versatile portrayals of Elphaba in Wicked. This episode offers listeners an intimate look into Myra's journey, the nuances of performing Wicked in Brazil, and the broader landscape of Brazilian musical theatre.

Myra Ruiz's Journey with Wicked

Discovering Wicked
Myra shares her early connection with Wicked, reflecting on how pivotal moments like listening to Defying Gravity during her school years in São Paulo inspired her passion for musical theatre.

"[25:16] Myra: I always listened to the cast recordings and Defying Gravity made me feel powerful during awkward teenage moments."

Auditioning and Securing the Role
The path to becoming Elphaba wasn't straightforward for Myra. She recounts the emotional rollercoaster of multiple auditions, initial setbacks, and the eventual triumph that led her to secure the coveted role.

"[36:12] Myra: The first audition was heartbreaking, walking the streets crying, but the subsequent callbacks paved the way for me to land the role."

The Brazilian Theatre Scene vs. Broadway

Growth of Musical Theatre in Brazil
Myra provides a comparative analysis of the theatre landscapes, highlighting Brazil's burgeoning musical scene since the 2000s and its unique cultural inflections that differentiate it from Broadway.

"[27:49] Myra: Brazil has become the third or fourth biggest musical theatre producer globally, thanks to our deep love for music."

Challenges and Opportunities
She discusses the logistical differences, such as the spread-out network of theaters in Brazil versus Broadway's concentrated district, and how this impacts productions and performers.

"[17:12] Myra: Unlike Broadway, Brazilian 'Broadway' is scattered across various cities, making rehearsals and performances more challenging."

Different Productions of Wicked in Brazil

Replica vs. Non-Replica Productions
Myra has portrayed Elphaba in three distinct productions of Wicked in Brazil: the original replica, the first non-replica in 2023, and the latest non-replica in 2025. She elaborates on the creative freedoms and constraints associated with each format.

"[48:15] Myra: Each production had unique directions, sets, and costumes, allowing me to explore different facets of Elphaba."

Technical Aspects: The Flying Mechanism
A significant highlight is the discussion on the technical evolution of the flying scenes. Myra details the transition from a traditional cherry picker to a sophisticated harness system that enhances both safety and performance quality.

"[57:12] Myra: The harness allows for more dynamic movements during 'Defying Gravity,' making the experience more immersive for the audience."

Emotional and Physical Demands
Performing while suspended adds layers of complexity, both physically and emotionally. Myra shares her strategies to maintain vocal strength and emotional authenticity despite the technical challenges.

"[59:07] Myra: Singing while flying requires finding new muscle support, like squeezing my butt cheeks, to maintain vocal control."

Dubbing the Wicked Movie

Process and Challenges
Myra discusses her role in dubbing the Brazilian version of the Wicked movie, emphasizing the need to stay true to the original performances while adapting them to Portuguese.

"[50:19] Myra: We had to maintain the inflections of Cynthia and Ariana while ensuring the lyrics worked seamlessly in Portuguese."

Connecting with Original Performances
She expresses a deep connection with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande's portrayals, finding inspiration in their performances to enhance her own.

"[51:14] Myra: Dubbing was a special experience; it felt like I was connected to Cynthia and Ariana, almost like friends despite the distance."

Audience Reception in Brazil

Growing Fanbase and Cultural Impact
The Wicked productions in Brazil have transcended traditional theatre audiences, attracting new fans inspired by the movie adaptation and the dynamic performances of actresses like Myra.

"[53:07] Myra: The movie brought in new audiences who previously hadn't engaged with theatre, making Wicked a cultural phenomenon here."

Interactive Performances
Brazilian audiences are notably interactive, often singing along and engaging spontaneously during performances, which contrasts with the more reserved Broadway etiquette.

"[52:17] Myra: Unlike Broadway, Brazilian audiences actively participate, singing along and making every performance feel like a communal celebration."

Building a Theatre Career in Brazil

Financial and Structural Challenges
Myra candidly discusses the financial instability of pursuing a theatre career in Brazil, where actors often juggle multiple roles and side projects to sustain themselves.

"[72:34] Myra: It's impossible to live off theatre alone here; actors need to diversify their work, like dubbing and side projects, to make ends meet."

Lack of Established Support Systems
She highlights the nascent state of unions and support structures in Brazilian theatre, making it a challenging environment for up-and-coming performers.

"[72:09] Myra: Unlike Broadway, Brazil lacks strong unions, making it harder for actors to find support and stable opportunities."

Future Aspirations and Reflections

Broadway Dreams
While Myra has achieved tremendous success in Brazil, she harbors aspirations to perform Wicked on Broadway, envisioning a Latina Elphaba bringing her unique flair to the iconic role.

"[74:35] Myra: I've dreamed of performing on Broadway and winning a Tony every night before bed. It would be incredible to bring a Brazilian perspective to Elphaba there."

Personal Growth and Artistic Evolution
Throughout her multiple portrayals of Elphaba, Myra reflects on her personal and artistic growth, finding her unique voice and adapting the character to better fit her cultural context.

"[44:59] Myra: Each production allowed me to find my own voice as Elphaba, blending original directions with Brazilian cultural elements to create a more authentic performance."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• On Discovering Wicked:

  "[25:16] 'I always listened to the cast recordings and Defying Gravity made me feel powerful during awkward teenage moments.'"

• On Auditioning:

  "[36:12] 'The first audition was heartbreaking, walking the streets crying, but the subsequent callbacks paved the way for me to land the role.'"

• On Technical Challenges:

  "[57:12] 'The harness allows for more dynamic movements during Defying Gravity, making the experience more immersive for the audience.'"

• On Dubbing the Movie:

  "[50:19] 'We had to maintain the inflections of Cynthia and Ariana while ensuring the lyrics worked seamlessly in Portuguese.'"

• On Building a Career:

  "[72:34] 'It's impossible to live off theatre alone here; actors need to diversify their work, like dubbing and side projects, to make ends meet.'"

• On Future Aspirations:

  "[74:35] 'I've dreamed of performing on Broadway and winning a Tony every night before bed. It would be incredible to bring a Brazilian perspective to Elphaba there.'"

Conclusion

This episode of Sentimental Men provides a comprehensive and heartfelt exploration of Myra Ruiz's illustrious career as Elphaba in Brazil. Through her experiences, listeners gain valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of performing in a vibrant but challenging theatre landscape, the intricacies of cross-cultural adaptations, and the relentless pursuit of artistic excellence. Myra's story is not just about a role in a musical but about passion, resilience, and the universal power of storytelling through theatre.

For more engaging discussions about musical theatre and beloved performers, tune into future episodes of Sentimental Men on the Broadway Podcast Network.