Three truck wardrobes, electrical gear, and camera equipment fill the back lot as the crew parked the van near the back door this Tuesday. Alicante hosts the main theater district where scenes are planned for Wednesday. The project, Camilo Superstar, a reimagining of a beloved Spanish musical, is produced for AtresPlayer Premium. The ambitious Spanish version follows the life of the Alcoy-born artist Camilo Sesto and his determination to bring the musical to Spain with a bold revival in the 1970s. The production team, eager for authenticity, is bringing this story to life with a focus on period details and the artist’s enduring legacy.
Details about the specific scenes set in Alicante have not been released yet. Filming is expected to capture portions of the story inside venues including the Colosseum and nearby historic sites in Alicante, with permission secured for recording at key locations such as the Royal High School and the Casino. Last week, the team shot scenes in Almansa with a large cast of extras, and after Alicante, the plan is to continue shooting in nearby regions. Tenerife has been mentioned as a filming stop to wrap up production obligations.
Camilo Superstar tells the story of how Camilo Sesto embarked on the challenge of adapting a major English musical for a Spanish audience. The project drew inspiration from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s original production, which captivated audiences in London and later premiered in Spain in the mid-1970s. At that time, it stood out as a pioneering, cross-border musical that left a lasting imprint on the country during a period of political tension.
The series is directed by a Galician actor, Alejandro Jato, portraying the young Camilo Sesto with a passionate cast that includes Adrian Lastra, Natalia Reyes, Pepe Ocio, Javier Godino, Vito Sanz, Oscar de la Fuente, with special collaboration from Evgenia Silva as Lucia Bosé and Elena Rivera. The ensemble brings to life the evolution of a global icon and the backstage dynamics that shaped the era.
The series is written by Tatiana Rodríguez with executive production by Montse García, Sonia Martínez, and Curro Novallas. Novallas serves as a key figure for the first and second unit management, with Federico Untermann guiding production logistics. The collaboration features Buendía Canaria Islands Studies alongside Atresmedia Television and will comprise four episodes focusing on the artistic journey from the moment the singer considers the musical idea to its premiere with a live band.
The narrative places Angela Carrasco in the role of Mary Magdalene, weaving a broader portrait of the era’s rock opera scene. Filming plans indicate the editing will blend rehearsal moments, the cast’s performances, and the premiere with archival footage and performances from the artist’s prolific period.
History
The production journey has been a vivid saga, marked by both triumphs and challenges. The team faced threats and opposition from groups opposed to the premiere and faced censorship pressures that tested the project’s resolve. Amid the obstacles, the crew pursued the ambition of presenting one of the era’s most influential stage works in a country undergoing change.
Alcoyeno and other collaborators share a strong sense of mission, mirroring the passion seen in the series. The production navigated the heavy demands of staging a landmark musical, including securing the right venues, assembling a capable cast, and coordinating technical elements to bring the ambitious concept to life. The schedule required balancing artistic needs with the realities of the era while honoring commitments to the artist and the music catalog from that period.