Inspired by The Wizard of Oz, the premiere of Mundo Mágico de Aldrazia (Magical World of Aldrazia) brings together 27 actors, singers and dancers in a show that promises both humour and an emotionally rich experience for the whole family.
The performers will take the stage at the Teatro Municipal Ignacio A. Pane in Asunción on Monday at 8 PM, offering a theatrical journey that blends fantasy with local vibes.
At the centre of the story is Dorita, a girl swept away by a tornado into a fantastical land known as Aldrazia, filled with curious and eccentric characters. To find her way home, she must follow the Golden Road towards the Rubí City. Along the way, she meets fantasy figures who help her confront fears and discover her inner strength.
Local accents and familiar slang
While the narrative pays homage to the original tale of The Wizard of Oz, Aldrazia asserts its own identity: characters speak with local accents, joke using familiar slang and interact in ways that feel grounded in everyday life.
“We’re not trying to imitate another culture, we’re adapting this classic to reflect who we are”, director Andrés Arredondo explains.
Andrés, originally from Concepción, describes himself as passionate about creating work that is both artistically ambitious and emotionally human. He graduated from an acting school in Asunción and went on to develop his own projects. After that, the director built a community by connecting virtually with fellow artists, and has since directed multiple plays – including original works – that incorporate elements of comedy, folklore and physical theatre.
Andrés is committed to creating spaces where artists are treated with dignity and mutual respect. “What I want to offer as a director, is a process where actors feel heard and valued. I want them to know I care, not just about the performance, but about them as people”, he says.
The spirit of Mundo Mágico de Aldrazia
That spirit is reflected in Aldrazia. More than just a show, the play explores key values such as empathy, courage, and resilience.
“It’s also a reminder that each of us carries something magical inside”, he explains. He also highlights that what sets Mundo Mágico de Aldrazia apart is the creative process behind it. “For me this wasn’t just about staging a play; it was about creating a shared space for artistic growth and that’s reflected in the energy you see on stage.”
The staging is visually rich, filled with colour and expressive costumes, with characters that feel simultaneously fantastical but at the same time also deeply human. Each of them carries a symbolic journey and every scene is designed to leave something meaningful behind.
However, coordinating a cast of 27 is no easy feat and Andrés admits that the logistics were intense: “We rehearsed every week for two months, dividing groups and then integrating everyone. The challenge was massive, but so was the commitment.”
A dreaming coming true
Despite the stress, the director sees this as a dream come true. “I’ve always wanted to create something that unites all the arts: acting, music and dancing. And with this play, I feel I’ve come closer to that”.
When asked what Andrés hopes the audience will take away from the performance, he answers: “I want people to leave the theatre inspired, especially children and young people. I want them to think: ‘I could do that. I want to tell stories too’”.
As the curtain rises on this ambitious production, it marks not only another chapter in Arredondo’s biography, but also extends a heartfelt invitation to the audience to dream, to feel, and to believe in the magic of shared stories.
For more information and to buy tickets, check ARPYO on Instagram.
The theatre is located downtown, very close to the Presidential Palace.
