Brazil Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations

Rossini's COUNT ORY Will be Performed for the First Time in Brazil, Closing the 2024 Opera Season at Theatro São Pedro
by Claudio Erlichman - November 29, 2024

Count Ory is a comic opera in two acts, based on a medieval ballad. The plot tells the sagas of the libertine Count Ory in search of women, fights and festivities. The production by Theatro São Pedro mixes the medieval fantasy world with contemporary elements and ambiguities, which reinforce the cre...

7th Edition of DID AWARDS Announces Winners
by Claudio Erlichman - November 27, 2024

DID Award reaffirms the vigor and relevance of Musical Theater in São Paulo, promoting the connection between audiences, artists and excellent productions with the digital cultural press responsible for publicizing and strengthening projects and people throughout the year, promoting greater access t...

Breaking News: Exclusive! GUSTAVO BARCHILON, the Prince of Musicals in Brazil, Announces His New Shows for 2025
by Claudio Erlichman - November 16, 2024

Multi-award winning director with plays like Barnum, Funny Girl and Something Rotten!, Gustavo Barchilon (32) exclusively announces for BroadwayWorld his new works for 2025. ...

Piazzolla's Tango Opera, MARÍA DE BUENOS AIRES, Will be Restaged at Theatro Municipal de São Paulo
by Claudio Erlichman - November 14, 2024

After the successful season held in 2021, Astor Piazzola’s tango-opera María de Buenos Aires returns to Theatro Municipal, presenting live cinema, mixing images and uniting different artistic languages with the atmosphere of Porto and Brazil. The show will have eight performances between November 21...

Inspired by Itamar Vieira Junior's bestseller TORTO ARADO – O MUSICAL (Crooked Plow – The Musical) Opens in São Paulo
by Claudio Erlichman - November 12, 2024

Based on the book by Itamar Vieira Junior, the play tells the story of sisters Bibiana and Belonísia, and their grandmother Donana. Through their eyes, we will enter a universe full of enchanted beings, and travel across the clay soil of the Brazilian countryside, of each one of us. A dialogue betwe...

O SOM DA NOSSA CANÇÃO – O MUSICAL Celebrates the Essence and Rhythm of Brazil
by Claudio Erlichman - November 06, 2024

O Som da Nossa Canção – O Musical is an original and authorial production that explores universal themes such as resilience, self-knowledge and love in a post-apocalyptic context. Inspired by the rich Brazilian cultural tradition, the show offers a profound reflection on adversity and the strength o...

Masterpiece of Brazilian Literature, Musical Version of Machado de Assis’ DOM CASMURRO Opens in São Paulo
by Claudio Erlichman - November 07, 2024

A masterpiece and one of the fundamental novels of Brazilian literature, Dom Casmurro, has its musical version signed by the duo formed by Guilherme Gila, author of the award-winning musical “A Igreja do Diabo” and Davi Novaes, author of the play “O Que Restou de Mim em Você”, who joined forces with...

O ADMIRÁVEL SERTÃO DE ZÉ RAMALHO (Zé Ramalho's the Brave Backlands) Opens at Sesc 24 de Maio After a Successful Tour of Brazil
by Claudio Erlichman - November 03, 2024

The play explores Zé Ramalho's songbook, his literature and the remarkable scenarios of his career in an innovative and non-biographical way. The dramaturgy is by Pedro Kosovski and the direction is by Marco André Nunes....

Gershwin's Jazz Opera BLUE MONDAY Gets a Revival at São Paulo's Theatro Municipal
by Claudio Erlichman - November 02, 2024

Blue Monday was a one-act 'jazz opera' by George Gershwin. The libretto was written by Buddy DeSylva. The story is set in Harlem, inside a 'colored saloon', that is, a bar intended for African-Americans, where we see Joe, a gambler, planning to use his winnings to visit his sick mother, without shar...

The Life and Legacy of Ray Charles are Told in the Musical RAY – VOCÊ NÃO ME CONHECE (You Don't Know Me)
by Claudio Erlichman - October 27, 2024

Inspired by the book of the same name by Ray Charles Jr., the show is a tribute to the American artist who helped redefine the direction of music by integrating R&B, soul, jazz and gospel. The production aims to show an intimate view of Ray Charles' life through the eyes of his eldest son. ...

Talking About the Power of Female Singing, POR ELAS – MUSICAL Arrives in São Paulo
by Claudio Erlichman - October 25, 2024

With original book by Eline Porto, this unprecedented and original musical celebrates the stories and memories of different women through iconic songs and moving stories....

International Phenomenon PRIMA FACIE Arrives in São Paulo After Immense Success in Rio de Janeiro
by Claudio Erlichman - October 18, 2024

Starring Débora Falabella and directed by Yara de Novaes, Prima Facie caused an international stir and was produced around the world as it told the story of a lawyer whose clients are accused of sexual violence....

Review: HAIRSPRAY Revivals in São Paulo with a Beautiful Message of Acceptance
by Claudio Erlichman - October 15, 2024

A girl achieves her dream of performing on a TV dance show in 1960s Baltimore — and works to integrate the show — in this musical version of the John Waters film. Outside of traditional beauty standards, she faces many prejudices, become an instant celebrity, and fight against racial segregation pro...

Marilyn Monroe and Einstein Meet in the Play INSIGNIFICANCE, Which Talks About Fame With Humor
by Claudio Erlichman - October 04, 2024

Albert Einstein and Marilyn Monroe grapple with fame, relativity and their personal lives in this dazzlingly inventive drama about the challenges of being known, and of knowing yourself. Cássio Scapin, Amanda Acosta, Marcos Veras and Norival Rizzo star in the play directed by Victor Garcia Peralta a...

Considered One of the Great Exponents of Samba MARTINHO CORAÇÃO DE REI, THE MUSICAL Pays Tribute to Martinho da Vila
by Claudio Erlichman - September 18, 2024

“Martinho, Coração de Rei - O Musical” delves into the African roots of samba master Martinho da Vila, revealing the profound influence of various Afro-Brazilian cultural manifestations on his work. Created by Jô Santana, the musical is directed by Miguel Falabella and written by Helena Theodoro....

A Hymn to the Oppressed, Verdi's New Production of NABUCCO Opens at Theatro Municipal de São Paulo
by Claudio Erlichman - September 17, 2024

Verdi's four-act opera will have a season in Brazil at Theatro Municipal de São Paulo, with Roberto Minczuk as musical director and Christiane Jatahy as stage director, with the participation of the Municipal Lyric Choir and the Municipal Symphony Orchestra....

São Paulo's PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT (Priscilla a Rainha do Deserto) Revival is the Season's Biggest Hit
by Claudio Erlichman - August 20, 2024

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is a jukebox musical with book by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott, using well-known pop songs as its score. Adapted from Elliott's 1994 movie , the musical tells the story of two drag queens and a trans woman, who contract to perform a drag show at a resort in Alice Sp...

Broadway Phenomenon DEAR EVAN HANSEN (Querido Evan Hansen) Opens in São Paulo, Addressing Serious Issues With Consciense, Sensibility and a Nice Score
by Claudio Erlichman - August 12, 2024

The winner of 6 Tonys, the Grammy and the Olivier Award for Best Musical, DEAR EVAN HANSEN is the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it. Directed by Tadeu Aguiar, the show can be seen until September 22nd, promising to provide an exciting and unforgett...

At 95 Years Old, Nathalia Timberg Plays the Protagonist of A MULHER DA VAN (The Lady in the Van)
by Claudio Erlichman - August 11, 2024

The Lady in the Van is a mostly true story of the fascinating relationship between the award-winning British writer and his long-term guest. Was she a fugitive on the run? A talented pianist? A nun? Or a lady who simply refused to move her van. Touching, uplifting, heartbreakingly honest, a moving a...

CLARA NUNES – A TAL GUERREIRA Celebrates The Life and Career of Brazilian Queen of Samba
by Claudio Erlichman - August 01, 2024

Clara Nunes, one of the greatest Brazilian singers, is brought to our time and to our questions of artistic and poetic freedom in a celebration of Brazilianness. With direction by Jorge Farjalla, the show that tells the story of this emblematic figure in Brazilian popular music was conceived by Vane...

Production that Tells the Story of the Rock Legend, ELVIS – A MUSICAL REVOLUTION Opens in São Paulo
by Claudio Erlichman - July 31, 2024

Get your pelvises and your blue suede shoes ready: in 2024, Brazil will enter the international circuit of Elvis: A Musical Revolution, the fictionalized biography recreated in musical form to tell the story of one of the greatest icons of world music, which will open in São Paulo in August. ...

In Double Bill Theatro Sao Pedro presents Busoni's TURANDOT and Puccini's GIANNI SCHICCHI
by Claudio Erlichman - July 27, 2024

On the centenary of the death of Italian composers Ferruccio Busoni and Giacomo Puccini, Theatro São Pedro presents a double program with performances on August 2, 4, 7, 9 and 11, under the musical direction of Ira Levin and the stage direction of Alexandre Dal Farra....

Shakespeare's KING LEAR Opens in São Paulo with an All Drag Cast
by Claudio Erlichman - July 22, 2024

In a tribute to drag queen art, Cia. Extemporânea opens an adaptation of the tragedy King Lear, by Shakespeare. The production is directed by Ines Bushatsky and features the queens Alexia Twister, Antonia Pethit, DaCota Monteiro, Ginger Moon, Lilith Prexeva, Maldita Hammer, Mercedez Vulcão, Thelores...

THE SOUND OF MUSIC (A Noviça Rebelde) Arrives in São Paulo After a Sold-out Season in Rio de Janeiro
by Claudio Erlichman - July 11, 2024

Since making his Broadway debut in 1959, The Sound of Music (A Novica Rebelde) has become a singular phenomenon. No other show has achieved such a lasting trajectory of success as one of this musical, inspired by the true love story between a young novice and a widowed captain, father of seven....

Joing Theater and Cinema Musical REPÚBLICA LEE – UM MUSICAL AO SOM DE RITA Opens in São Paulo
by Claudio Erlichman - July 07, 2024

The show combines theater and cinema, creating a film in the presence of the audience, following the story of 5 young people, residents of a shared house, in São Paulo City, between the years from 1968 and 1969. The group is engaged in producing, within the apartment where they live, a low-budget sc...