GRAN VIA: 5 SHOWS YOU MUSTN’T MISS

Gran Via, the heart of downtown Madrid, mega-parties 24/7. Day in and day out thousands upon thousands of tourists and natives flock irresistibly with their friends to this vibrant and vibrating thoroughfare to dine and shop or simply stroll and soak up its fabulous ambience.
But Gran Via is also Madrid’s Broadway; glamorous and sitting-room cozy theaters line the street.
Here are five picks on this Broadway of the nation’s irrepressible capital.

SING ALONG – GREASE
Teatro La Luz Philips
Gran Via  66
Up to April 21

Biggest selling point:  It’s fun!
Interactive.
Movie + karaoke. Spectators get to act out Danny Zuko or Sandy Olsen. Or the others in the cast.

The animators of the show are on hand to put the spectators through their paces, encouraging them to loosen up, shed their inhibitions and go sing and dance.

They are urged to come in Grease-related costumes. Or they may buy their outfits at the theater.

Duration: 2 hours
Tickets from €12 upwards. (Check out updates and special offers.)

MADAME BUTTERFLY
Teatro La Luz Philips
Gran Via 66
28 March – 2 April

Three-act Puccini opera with the libretto of Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica. Adapted for the stage by American playwright-producer David Belasco (25 July 1853 – 14 May 1931).

Duration: 150 minutes
Tickets from €20 upwards. (Check out updates and special offers.)

OHLALA
Teatro La Luz Philips
Gran Via 66
6 April – 12 April
For adults only

Cabaret-circus featuring amazing acrobats, world champion skaters, Spanish dancers. Raved by audiences in Zurich and Paris (Folies Bergere). Sensational. Naughty.

Dubbed “sexy, crazy, artistic.”

Duration: 2 hours
Tickets from €22 upwards. (Check out updates and special offers.)

MI ULTIMA NOCHE CON SARA
Teatro Rialto
Gran Via 54
28 March – 11 April

Setting: 1960s. A mix of drama, passion and humor.  Tribute to the legendary Sara Montiel (10 March 1928 – 8 April 2013), one of the greatest divas in the history of film and culture of Spain.

Ten of Sara’s most popular songs are sung live during the show.

Duration: 90 minutes
Tickets from €12 upwards. (Check out updates and special offers.)

MAMMA MIA!
Teatro Coliseum
Gran Via 78
Ongoing

The Abba based musical romantic comedy premiered on stage in Spain in 2004. More than 2000 performances; +2.5 million spectators.

The longest-running show in Spain is back in Madrid!

Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes, including intermission
Tickets from €18.90. (Check out updates and special offers.)

Gran Via’s film and theater repertoire is vast and eclectic, satisfying different folks with different strokes. The above five shows are among the musts but definitely not the only superbs.

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Images
Featured image (Gran Via)/Nicolas Vigier, PD
Posters, Fair use