Sí Trends

When you think of strength, you may not necessarily associate it with high-flying acts, but after seeing the production, FuerzaBruta ("Brute Force") you might look at strength in a different light. In FuerzaBruta, by the same creators of the international hit De La Guarda, the audience actually becomes part of the cast. From heart-stopping stunts that make your skin crawl to tantalizing visuals, the show is a rollercoaster of emotions. FuerzaBruta truly succeeds in stimulating all your senses--even some you didn't know existed. [Sí] Trends caught up with one of its original cast members, la argentina Tamara Levinson, to discuss the magic that is brute force.

[Sí] Trends: FuerzaBruta is the closest I've ever been to being at a rave...
Tamara Levinson: Yeah, totally and it's all safe, you don't have to take any drugs and you can be any age!

[Sí] Trends: How does it feel to be a part of the cast?
TL: It's really fun and great! It's really different for me because I started in the original cast when we were playing around in Argentina. This is a very Argentinean show and I'm used to doing it with my Argentinean people and culturally it's very different, but what makes it really interesting, fun, and new for me is to see how Americans do it; it's an interesting spin on an Argentinean show.

[Sí] Trends: Do you have to be classically trained as a gymnast or a dancer to be in a show like this?
TL: No, definitely not. Diqui James, the director and creator, looks for people who are interesting in the way they think. Obviously for the show you have to be athletic, you have to be able to get through it, but that comes with training. The spectators should feel like anybody can do it. It's very natural movement and it's really about being honest and an honest actor.

[Sí] Trends: How long does it take for you and the cast to train?
TL: When I started we evolved it and helped Diqui make the vision come alive. So that whole process took about a year, once the machines were built. When we came to New York, the show was already done. We just had to teach everyone the parts and that took about a month, but they're still learning because there are so many acts, you can definitely do the show without knowing all the acts.

[Sí] Trends: Has any of the cast freaked out once they realize what they have to do physically?
TL: No, actually many of the cast members now have done the show De La Guarda which Diqui also did. It's a very similar show in athletic ability and stamina so they knew what was expected of them. And anybody that went through the audition process can tell what's expected.

[Sí] Trends: What has been your most favorite moment here in New York so far?
TL: For me, it's a constant favorite moment, because I'm able to see how the other actors evolve this very Argentinean dance and really have fun with it and feel it. The whole show is interesting to me.

[Sí] Trends: What does the title mean to you?
TL: Strength comes in very different ways and brute strength comes in different ways. For example, the pool scene with the girls, maybe it's very sensual, but it's also very strong because it's so powerful for a woman to be laying there almost naked in the water and not feel ashamed of her body. It's a really powerful show in very subtle ways.

[Sí] Trends: Is this the message from the creator, Diqui James, himself?
TL: I know it's very different for everybody, which is what I love about the show. A lot of people leave and they're like, "Oh, there's no plot, there's no plot." What's funny is that everything in life has a plot; it's just not given to you directly sometimes. I think now when you go to see a movie it's like they almost think the audience is dumb and they have to give you everything in your face. What's really interesting about this kind of theater is that Diqui gives it to you in your face-literally, but it has to be thought about and self-interpreted. For me it's different, but for Diqui it's simply images and taking them for what they're worth. The whole point is that you come with an open mind and you take it for what it means to you.

FuerzaBruta is now running in New York City's Daryl Roth Theatre.