Carlos Awards: Yayo Guridi and the surprises of a gala night in Villa Carlos Paz

The Cordoban theater season celebrated its great moments when the Eleton Hotel transformed into the epicenter of performing arts. Hosted by Marcelo Arias and Agustina Vivanco, the gala night brought together more than forty casts nominated for the Carlos Awards, in an event that combined recognition, artistic innovation, and some significant absences that marked the evening.

I Am Mestiza: the show that dominated the night with seven awards

The musical directed and produced by Cordoban Ángel Carabajal emerged as the biggest winner of the evening. The stage production, which stands out for its fusion of folklore, tango, and flamenco, took home seven trophies in total. In addition to the Gold Award, the production received technical awards for best costumes, lighting, and sound, while Emiliano Luna was recognized as best dancer and Mariana Clemensó was awarded as best female singer. The production team also received recognition during the ceremony.

With this performance, I Am Mestiza surpassed Trum Malambo, which took the Silver Award, establishing itself as the favorite show of the season in Villa Carlos Paz.

Nazarena Vélez receives the Ramón Yardá among the special recognitions

Among the most notable awards of the night, Nazarena Vélez was honored with the Ramón Yardá, a trophy that honors a “woman who has reinvented herself.” The producer and star of Suspend the Wedding, sharing the stage with her daughter Barbie Vélez, Santiago Caamaño, Roly Serrano, and Nacho Castañares, received this mention as a symbol of career and artistic transformation.

Meanwhile, Pablo Alarcón received the Carlos Award for Career for his performance in the dramatic comedy It’s Complicated, alongside Claribel Medina.

The surprising absence of Yayo Guridi and other highlights

One of the most talked-about details of the evening was the notable absence of Yayo Guridi, who was recognized among the special jury awards along with Cacho Garabal, Marta González, and Rodolfo Ranni. This absence was particularly significant considering Guridi is part of the successful cast of Short Circuit, a show that, despite being one of the most attended performances in the city, only received two awards in set design and breakthrough, the latter for Ana Paula Buljubasich.

Facundo Mazzei and his cast of Red Chameleon were responsible for musical entertainment during the night, while the ceremony introduced a notable innovation: the hosts limited thank-you speeches only to the Gold winners, a decision that sped up the awards. “It’s a way to say thank you for honoring this theater scene,” the hosts explained about a gala that included for the first time a dinner as part of the program.

Complete list of Carlos Award winners

Carlos de Oro: I Am Mestiza

Carlos de la gente: Pirulo en el aire

Carlos de Plata: Trum Malambo

Best production: Ángel Carabajal, Punt Vermell - Letona Productions

Career Award: Pablo Alarcón

Best Actress: Claribel Medina - It’s Complicated

Best Actor: Nicolás Cabré - No Half Words

Breakthrough of the season: Ana Paula Buljubasich - Short Circuit

Best dramatic comedy: It’s Complicated

Best comedy: No Half Words

Best female dancer: Constanza Urquiza - Trum Malambo

Best male dancer: Emiliano Luna - I Am Mestiza

Best attraction in show: Matías Ramírez - What a Show

Best variety show: Magnyfico Show, The Legend Continues

Best transvestite actor: Pablo Rey - Magnyfico Show, The Legend Continues

Best female performance in children’s show: Flavia Pereda - Tales and Songs by María Elena Walsh

Best male performance in children’s show: Julián Pucheta - Tales and Songs by María Elena Walsh

Ramón Yardá: Nazarena Vélez

Best live musical performance: A Piece of My Life

Best dance troupe: Trum Malambo

Best theatrical direction: Adrián Lazare - Verónica’s Room

Best show direction: Facundo Lencina - Trum Malambo

Best Cordoban show: Filomena Marturano

Best costumes: I Am Mestiza

Best lighting design: I Am Mestiza

Best comedian: Cacho Buenaventura - What a Show

Best supporting actress: Tania Marioni - Verónica’s Room

Best supporting actor: Roly Serrano - Suspend the Wedding, The Magic Continues

Special jury award: Cacho Garabal, Yayo Guridi, Marta González, and Rodolfo Ranni

Best virtual set design: Epic Legend

Best scenic design: Short Circuit

Best humorous-musical show: Trum Malambo

Best male singer: Gabriel Polidoro - Sing Me a Story

Best female singer: Mariana Clemensó - I Am Mestiza

Best musical show: I Am Mestiza

Best humorous show: Circo Marisko, Monoargentum

Best comedic work in a show: Andrés Teruel - Trum Malambo

Show on donation basis: The White Week Experiment

Best children’s musical show: Tales and Songs by María Elena Walsh

Best children’s show: Jurassic Journey 2

Best script: Verónica’s Room

Best sound: I Am Mestiza