Claudio Erlichman

Following a successful run in Rio de Janeiro, Diana – A Princesa do Povo arrives in São Paulo on May 15 at Teatro Liberdade. Directed by Tadeu Aguiar and produced by Estamos Aqui Produções, the large-scale musical stars Sara Sarres as Diana, Princess of Wales in a Brazilian non-replica staging that explores the emotional, public, and political dimensions of the beloved royal icon. The production traces Diana’s journey from shy aristocrat to global humanitarian figure, highlighting her compassion, vulnerability, and enduring legacy. The cast also features Claudio Lins as Prince Charles, Simone Centurione as Queen Elizabeth II, and Giselle de Prattes as Camilla Parker Bowles.

As Centenárias, the celebrated play by Newton Moreno, will premiere at Sesc Bom Retiro on May 14, running through June 14. Directed by Luiz Carlos Vasconcelos, the production stars Juliana Linhares and Laila Garin as two elderly professional mourners traveling through Brazil’s Northeastern sertão performing funeral rituals and farewell ceremonies. Blending humor, poetry and emotional storytelling, the new version features 16 original songs by Chico César, who also serves as musical director alongside Elísio Freitas. Nearly two decades after the original production became a landmark of Brazilian theatre, this reimagined staging brings fresh musicality and contemporary energy to one of the country’s most acclaimed modern plays.

Samuel Beckett’s acclaimed masterpiece Endgame (Fim de Partida) opens April 30 at Teatro Paulo Autran, inside Sesc Pinheiros, in a new production directed by Rodrigo Portella. Starring Marco Nanini, Guilherme Weber, Helena Ignez, and Ary França, the tragicomic classic revisits Beckett’s haunting post-apocalyptic world, where Hamm, a blind and paralyzed old man, and his servant Clov remain trapped in a tense relationship of dependence, cruelty, and endless waiting. Written in the aftermath of World War II, the play remains one of the most powerful works of the Theater of the Absurd, exploring power, isolation, and the search for meaning in a collapsing world.

Dibuk – The Musical opens April 23 at Teatro Sérgio Cardoso for a limited run through May 31, 2026. Inspired by S. An-sky’s classic The Dybbuk, or Between Two Worlds, one of the most important works of Yiddish theater, the production reimagines the tragic love story of Leah and Hanan — often called the “Romeo and Juliet” of Jewish drama. Directed by Marcelo Klabin, the musical blends drama, music, dance and circus elements, with traditional Jewish dance at the heart of the storytelling. Featuring 31 actors, 44 original songs and a large-scale visual production, the show runs Thursdays to Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 4 PM.

Show Bar – Jukebox Musical reimagines the theater experience with an interactive, immersive format set and a functioning bar. Created by Luis Fernando Rodrigues, the production blends live performance and social atmosphere, inviting audiences to sing along, toast, and become part of the show. Instead of a linear narrative, the musical unfolds through themed segments featuring an eclectic jukebox of hits—from Broadway-inspired classics to Brazilian favorites. With a dynamic cast and ever-changing energy, the production offers a lively, communal night out that blurs the line between stage and audience.

Opening the 2026 lyric season at Theatro São Pedro, Orpheus in the Underworld (Orphée aux enfers) by Jacques Offenbach arrives in a vibrant new staging directed by Cibele Forjaz, with André Dos Santos leading the orchestra. Premiered in 1858, Offenbach’s groundbreaking operetta offers a witty, satirical twist on the Orpheus myth, transforming tragedy into irreverent comedy. With its mix of spoken dialogue, lively ensembles, and dance, the work helped define the operetta genre. Highlights include the iconic “Galop infernal,” forever linked to the can-can. Performances run April 17, 19, 22, 24, and 26, inviting audiences to experience a sparkling, subversive classic that remains as entertaining today as ever.

Flashdance – The Musical arrives in São Paulo, bringing the iconic 1983 film to the stage, following Alex Owens, a young steelworker who dreams of becoming a professional dancer. Starring Marisol Marcondes and Rhener Freitas, the production features a cast of 24 performers, live music, and high-energy choreography. Blending songs in English and Portuguese—including the Oscar-winning “Flashdance… What a Feeling”—the musical captures the spirit of a generation. Audiences can also expect the film’s legendary moments, including the unforgettable chair-and-water dance scene.

A new Brazilian staging of Oleanna by David Mamet opens at the Teatro Vivo, offering an intense and immersive take on the playwright’s provocative drama. Directed by Daniela Stirbulov and starring Velson D’Souza and Julianna Gerais, the production revisits the explosive encounter between a university professor and his student, as a request for academic help spirals into accusations of misconduct. Performed for just 50 spectators, the staging places audiences face-to-face on opposite sides of the action, transforming them into a silent jury. Exploring power, communication, and the shifting nature of truth, Oleanna remains a gripping reflection of today’s social debates.

Betrayal, the acclaimed play by Harold Pinter, returns to the stage with a gripping exploration of love, loyalty, and deception. The story follows Emma, Robert, and Jerry, whose lives intertwine in a complex love triangle that challenges the boundaries between intimacy and friendship. Told in reverse chronology, the play gradually reveals hidden truths, exposing layers of secrecy and contradiction. As the narrative moves backward in time, audiences are invited to reflect on the silences, unspoken tensions, and emotional ambiguities that shape human relationships. With its precise dialogue and psychological depth, Betrayal remains a powerful and timeless portrait of the fragile nature of trust and desire.

Magia, O Musical brings a vibrant new original story to the stage. Set between two contrasting islands—where one’s wishes are granted at the cost of another’s loss—the musical follows Leilani on a journey that questions the true price of happiness. Blending Latin and Caribbean musical influences with a visually rich production, the show explores themes of inequality, identity, and social justice through a compelling fantasy lens. Created by Nathan Leitão and Letitia Bullard, the internationally developed project now arrives in Brazil with plans for a dual-country run in 2026, connecting Brazilian and Bahamian cultures on stage.

Minha Estrela Dalva is not a conventional biography, but an imagined encounter between artist and muse. Onstage, Renato Borghi steps into the dressing room of legendary singer Dalva de Oliveira to fulfill a lifelong dream: inviting the “Queen of Radio” to perform the songs of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill. Blending memory and fantasy, the production—directed by Elias Andreato and Elcio Nogueira Seixas—brings together past and present in a poetic theatrical dialogue. Soraya Ravenle portrays Dalva at once as myth and woman, while Ivan Vellame embodies key figures from her personal life. With evocative music, movement, and striking visuals, the show reveals both the icon and the human story behind one of Brazil’s greatest voices.

Prazer, Zezé! O Musical celebrates the remarkable six-decade career of Zezé Motta. Created by Toni Brandão and directed by Débora Dubois, the production blends theater and live music to trace Motta’s journey from her early years to her groundbreaking achievements in film, television, and on stage. Featuring Larissa Noel in the title role, alongside an ensemble cast and live band, the musical revisits defining moments, key collaborations, and iconic songs associated with the artist. More than a biographical tribute, the show offers a powerful reflection on identity, race, resilience, and artistic expression in Brazil’s cultural landscape.

Espelho Mágico, a new musical celebrating six decades of Brazilian television, will premiere on March 20 at the BTG Pactual Hall in São Paulo. Inspired by the legacy of Rede Globo, Brazil’s largest TV network, the production revisits iconic characters, programs, and songs that shaped the country’s cultural landscape. The story follows a writer tasked with creating a musical about Globo’s history who is guided by the spirit of legendary telenovela author Janete Clair. Blending humor, nostalgia, and nearly forty musical numbers, Espelho Mágico offers a vibrant theatrical tribute to the programs and personalities that defined generations of Brazilian viewers.

Liberdade, Liberdade – O Musical premieres March 13 at Cia. da Revista, offering a contemporary reimagining inspired by the landmark 1965 play Liberdade, Liberdade by Millôr Fernandes and Flávio Rangel. The original production, created during the early years of Brazil’s military dictatorship, became a symbol of artistic resistance before being censored and banned shortly after its debut. This new musical adaptation revisits that legacy through a modern lens, combining theater, live music, and choreography to explore themes of freedom, democracy, and artistic expression. Set in the atmosphere of a fictional rock festival, the production features 16 performers and a live band, creating an energetic theatrical experience that connects Brazil’s cultural history with contemporary reflections on liberty and social dialogue.

Gal, o Musical brings to the stage defining moments from the life of one of Brazil’s greatest singers, Gal Costa. The production traces her journey from birth and early artistic breakthroughs to her connection with the groundbreaking Tropicália movement, her close relationship with her mother, and the later adoption of her son, Gabriel. Blending biography with poetic storytelling, the musical introduces three mythological figures who serve as symbolic guides, illuminating the profound personal and artistic transformations she experienced throughout her life. Through music and memory, the show celebrates Gal Costa’s legacy as a cultural icon whose voice and vision helped redefine Brazilian popular music.

The global hit celebrating the life of the Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll arrives in Brazil. TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, nominated for 12 Tony Awards, opened February 26 at Teatro Santander as part of the venue’s 10th anniversary season. Starring Analu Pimenta as Tina and César Mello as Ike Turner, the production traces the icon’s journey from humble beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee, to international superstardom. Developed with Tina Turner’s own involvement, the jukebox musical features electrifying performances of classics including “The Best,” “What’s Love Got To Do With It?,” “Private Dancer,” and “Proud Mary.” A story of resilience, reinvention, and triumph, the show runs in a limited engagement in São Paulo.

Brazil’s beloved doll takes center stage in this original musical that blends nostalgia, fantasy, and sharp social commentary. Conceived and written by Mara Carvalho, with music by Thiago Gimenes and direction by Ulysses Cruz, Susi, o Musical reimagines the 1966 Estrela Toy Factory icon for a new generation. The story follows Victor, a screen-obsessed boy who embarks on a dreamlike journey alongside Susi and a vibrant cast of characters, exploring identity, belonging, consumerism, and self-discovery. Featuring pop-infused original songs, bold visuals, and multiple versions of Susi representing diverse professions and backgrounds, the production celebrates Brazilian cultural memory while reflecting on contemporary challenges. A family-friendly spectacle with heart and humor.

Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy finds a bold new setting in this site-specific Brazilian adaptation directed by Rafael Gomes and starring Gabriel Leone. Staged inside the long-abandoned Cine Copan—currently awaiting restoration—the production transforms the crumbling cinema into a monumental performance space, blurring the line between architecture and drama. With the audience seated on the former stage and the action unfolding across the old auditorium, the immersive staging mirrors Hamlet’s own state of suspension and moral collapse. Featuring a multigenerational cast and a striking creative team, this contemporary reimagining reframes themes of power, desire and existential doubt for today’s audiences—turning ruin into revelation.

Nearly 50 years after its debut, Chico Buarque’s landmark musical returns in a vibrant new staging. Directed by Jorge Farjalla, Ópera do Malandro dives into Rio de Janeiro’s bohemian underworld to expose corruption, desire and hypocrisy with sharp humor and unforgettable songs. Inspired by Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera and infused with elements of Afro-Brazilian spirituality, the production blends satire, ritual and popular culture in an immersive, festive experience. Featuring a large, star-studded cast the show reaffirms the enduring power—and provocation—of one of Brazilian musical theatre’s most iconic works.

Carmina Burana Ballet arrives in São Paulo for a limited season, offering Brazilian audiences an immersive reinterpretation of Carl Orff’s iconic cantata. Created by Portugal’s acclaimed Vortice Dance Company and produced by Infinitus (Grupo IN), the production blends contemporary dance, monumental music and cutting-edge videomapping into a powerful sensory experience. Under the artistic and choreographic direction of Cláudia Martins and Rafael Carriço, the ballet transforms medieval poems about love, fate and desire into a striking dialogue between body and technology, sacred and profane.