Takis Zaharatos continues with intense rhythms and with lots of love the preparations for his unique appearances in “Sweet Dreams… up close!” which airs from Friday, October 18th – and with a limited number of performances, at the Embassy Theater (Patriarchou Ioakeim 5, Athens).
Between constant – full of fun, laughter and joy – transformations and long hours of rehearsals, the beloved showman talked to us.
“Sweet dreams…up close!” in Athens. Tell us about the show.
“I love her, I love her, it’s a very cute show whose aim is to sweeten us a little, find ourselves again, warm our hearts again, communicate from the heart and generously share laughter, joy, singing, fun. To get away from everything gray out there… I think there’s a lack of sweetness this season.
It was my need to sweeten my soul again and share that sweetness with my friends.”
Who are the “protagonists” of your series and why did you choose these characters?
“There are many protagonists in this series. Firstly, for me the protagonists are ordinary people, who are not only heroes, but also real stars. For me, politics nowadays gives a lot of bread; we have seen diverse and interesting forms on television, on social media and I really like that there is this variety, which inspires and connects me; . I have the desire but also the need to do my best and dive into new faces and discover personalities through them and use them in the best way possible. From Kasselakis, Tyler, Polakis, Sapundzakis to Ioanna Tounis, Lioliou. From the mountainous Melissa, to Aggeliki Nikoloulis, to Marina Satti, to Korina from “Crimes” and Soso, to Taylor Swift, Nikos Oikonomopoulos, Argyros, Matoula Zamanis, Natassa Bofiliou and George Margaritis.
But what really makes me especially happy this year is the tribute to the legends of Las Vegas, featuring Liza Minnelli, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Shirley Bassey.”
You have had a long and successful journey; What’s your secret?
“I think the biggest secret is to be passionate about what you do, fascinated, and always be motivated to do your best and share that with the world and be a celebration of all of that. That’s how I see it, like a party in my living room, where people come and we have a lot of fun. I want to see people smiling and loved. I see my relationship with my work, as well as the relationship of a couple that needs care, affection, watering to flourish ways to always renew the relationship and make it happy and seem new.”
What does transformation mean to you? Where and how does Takis Zaharatos meet the respective hero – if we could say, who does he decide to imitate?
“Transformation for me has always been a journey to escape and play in my own world, my own playground. To paint how I want, what I want and, when I want, my hero. I always really love the ones I use on myself, there is always something in common between us and in a magical way they choose me. I feel like it is, just like in a love affair. There is a calling that I cannot resist and I feel so lucky and blessed to have been put on this journey of transformation. When you delve into a personality, you extract things that make you a better artist and a wiser person.”
Is there a moment in your career that stands out? And if so, would you share some with us?
“There are so many incredible moments. My collaboration with Michalis Kakogiannis in the film “Up, Down and Sideways” together with the great Irini Pappa was a dream, I still can’t believe that I happened to meet these legends, these sacred monsters and receive huge gifts from them ;’ these great people of global scope. “Certainly, the collaboration with my love interest, Marinella, at the Pallas was a great milestone, but also the historic sellout, also at the Pallas theater, with the show “I live for you”, which holds the greatest success record in the history of theater.”
What are the elements of your personality that fuel your talent?
“I think about my curiosity for life, my observation, my childishness, my organization, my madness, my imagination. But most of all, my love for people and acceptance of diversity, which is exciting as an observer of people, heroes, characters, it’s magical to have that variety, it’s inspiration, it’s life;
After ‘Sweet Dreams’, what?
“When a cycle ends, I distance myself and decide the next ones. So when this series ends, I will tell you that I still think of this show very fondly and am completely devoted to my love for it. I will be happy to wait for you to come travel together, have fun together, be happy together, think together, sing together and we will be here to talk about the next one. I hope we have a wonderful winter. My kisses and my love.”
Performance ID
Starring Takis Zaharatos
Singers: Nina Mazani, Ioli Pentara
They dance (in alphabetical order):
Anastasia Kalogeropoulou, Christos Karoutis, Eleni Markou, Iouli Banoussi, Despina Perivolari, Adriana Sterioulis, Konstantinos Hatzidis, Antigoni Chroni
Orchestra:
Yannis Diskos, Orchestration – wind instruments
Kostas Alexandris, Trombone
Pericles Aliopis, trumpet
Spyros Vardakastanis, bass
Christos Kondras, Bouzouki
Minas Liakos, Guitar
Grigoris Syntridis, drums
Kostas Syntridis, piano
Coefficients:
Director: Takis Zacharatos, Dimitris Papazoglou
Texts: Takis Zaharatos
Scenes: Yannis Mourikis
Costumes: Filitsa Nikolaidou
Choreography: Dimitris Papazoglou
Musical Director: Giannis Diskos
Video art: XSQUARE DESIGN LAB
Lighting: Péricles Mathielis
Makeup: Dimitris Filios
Hair: Maria Gala
Assistant Choreographer: Maria Gerodimou
Contact: Eleni Torou
Social networks: RENEGADE
Production Director: Nikos Papamanolis
Production Execution: Stavroula Panagiotopoulou
PRODUCTION: EMBASSY CULTURE PRODUCTIONS