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Sarau

Sarau Cultura Brasileira has been in the national market for 30 years, working in all artistic and cultural segments, creating and producing projects for all types of audiences.

We transform lives through culture because it educates, expands individual and collective consciousness and makes society more open and fairer. One of a society's greatest assets is its culture, which is why we believe that rescuing, maintaining, encouraging and disseminating Brazilian culture is generating wealth for our country.

What we do

Everything we do is spectacular and transformative. We work with a passion for Brazilian culture. We believe that ethics, diversity and network building enable us to absorb challenges and carry out projects ranging from theater to audiovisual projects, festivals, musical shows, training projects, publications, artistic agencies and others.

The Sarau way

We put our purpose and the values we cherish and believe in into practice, whether in projects or in our working relationships. What drives us is connecting, transforming and including people by spreading Brazilian culture to the world, creating networks of affection and trust between staff, suppliers, partners, sponsors and audiences. Everyone is fundamental and is part of a collaborative team, whose conduct is based on respect, ethics and affection.

Our mission

Sarau DNA

Since it was founded, Sarau has built up a consistent track record in Rio's cultural market, working to research and make viable projects to recover the work of Brazilian artists, in a wide variety of formats, from the stage to the internet. Today, with extensive experience and recognition in the cultural market, Sarau has its own memory, a wealth of content and an unquestionable capacity for realization. It has carried out around 160 projects, totaling more than 240 awards: 55 theatrical shows, more than 45 musical productions, including concerts, festivals and CDs, countless exhibitions, collection projects, among others.

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We honor and carry forward the excellence of Brazilian artistic production and its people. Always respectful of people, audiences and creation, we produce with a lot of dialog, loyalty and an open mind to learning and exchanging experiences. In our projects, we exercise loyalty among our team, suppliers, audience and partners, forming a network of care, respect and collective thinking among the professionals involved, thus providing a solid technical record in affection and artistic quality.

Sarau was founded in 1992 by Andréa Alves, from Rio de Janeiro, when she was completing her studies in journalism and cultural production, and Ana Luisa Lima, a partner in the production company for 16 years. Their love of music came together with an appreciation for writing and the history of national culture. Their first project took place in the heart of the Marvelous City, with an afternoon of instrumental music by O Trio, called "Urban Music in the Urban Forest", presented at the Açude Museum, in the Tijuca Forest. From then on, what could have been a simple interest became a mission for the producer who, together with her team, helped spread Brazilian culture, later producing renowned music projects such as "Quintas no BNDES", 13 editions of the "Villa-Lobos Festival", "Música no IBAM" and "Velha Guarda da Mangueira". But what about theater? Of course, this powerful form of artistic expression has been present since the beginning of its trajectory, with productions of classics such as José de Alencar's "Rio de Janeiro Verso e Reverso", "Forrobodó - Um choro na Cidade Nova", set to music by Chiquinha Gonzaga and Artur Azevedo's "A Capital Federal".

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In three decades of a virtuous cycle, Sarau has produced more than 160 projects, including 55 theater projects, 45 music projects, 21 CDs, as well as collection projects, festivals, book publications and exhibitions. The first audiovisual production came along with the pandemic: "Elza Infinita". A documentary about Elza Soares, based on the play written by Vinicius Calderoni and directed by Duda Maia in 2017. The film, directed by Natara Ney and Erika Candido, was a co-production with Canal GNT and won the New York Festivals in the silver category for Best Documentary. It took theater to the digital stage during the pandemic, showing some shows on YouTube and simultaneously on television channels. On this road, Sarau has had the joy of being nominated countless times and having creators and projects awarded more than 100 prizes.

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In every year of its existence, Sarau breathes, blows and spreads the air of Brazilian culture and its creators, in every form of art. The experience brings learning, the network of affections, the partnerships that welcome us and make us expand our spaces and broaden our existence, always seeking to give voice to all voices.

Andréa Alves

"Of the gifts of life, certainly realizing these creative inventions, opening up spaces for important social narratives, providing networks of affection and generating waves of empathy, are the ones I'm grateful for every day and see as a mission."

Andréa Alves, a journalist from Rio de Janeiro and daughter of northeastern parents, founded the production company just over 30 years ago. Today, she continues as Clarice Lispector's character Macabéa says: "pregnant with the future". “A Hora da Estrela” (The Hour of the Star) is one of her latest musical theater creations. His productions are invariably among the most nominated or awarded: A Hora da Estrela ou o Canto de Macabéa (The Time of the Star or Macabéa's Song) has 3 Shell Award nominations and Museu Nacional [todas as vozes do fogo] (National Museum [all the voices of fire]), with Cia Barca dos Corações Partidos (Boat of Broken Hearts Company), is nominated for Best Show at the APCA (São Paulo Association of Art Critics) Awards.

 

Andréa Alves occupies various positions. For two, she's a mother. For a few more, she's a boss. For many, she's an inspiration. But don't be fooled into thinking that it's possible to see this woman as occupying an exclusive role: at all times, she is a bit of what she represents to different people, and this doesn't happen by chance.  

 

Ever since she was a university student engaged with the most primordial aspects of Brazilian culture, the emergence of Sarau was a spontaneous movement. Andréa wanted to get to know Brazil through Brazilians who liked to compose, play and sing Brazil. She didn't give in to the temptation of foreignness, which is so much more valued than our national artists. And so Sarau was born. The first steps, which include Elis, Villa Lobos and Grande Othelo, for example, are recorded in the history that no longer belongs to the company. This history that Andréa provided belongs to Brazil.

 

In 2018, the Folha de São Paulo newspaper approached her for an article about the originality and Brazilianity of her productions, which have reinvented the musicals market in Brazil. Check out the full article here.

The beginning

Everything we do touches people's hearts, surprises them and opens up new paths. We are diverse in people, thoughts, abilities, audiences and themes. We include everyone without distinction. The more, the merrier!

The new look

We make the invisible visible. We promote the inclusion of people, stories and cultures that deserve to gain light and visibility. In this way we make our society less elitist and more transversal. We navigate both digitally and in person with different types of cultural productions. In Brazil we speak Portuguese, in the world we speak all languages.

Inclusive and diverse

We guarantee excellence and quality in our work based on Agenda 2030, proposed by the UN to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring well-being, gender equality and empowering women, as well as promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, regardless of age, gender, disability, ethnicity, race, origin, religion or economic status.

We value people

Main milestones

Sarau was founded in 1992 by journalist Andréa Alves and art educator Ana Luisa Lima, a partner in the production company for 16 years.

In 1995 Sarau carried out two important projects, Chorando no CCBB and a tribute to Chiquinha Gonzaga, which included, in addition to three shows with unpublished programs by the author, the staging of the musical Forrobodó - Um choro na Cidade Nova, the production company's first national award: the Mambembe Award for Best Show.

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In 1997, two shows were staged in tribute to two great artists of Brazilian culture, one celebrating Pixinguinha's 100th birthday and the other, Chiquinha Gonzaga's 90th birthday.

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2002 was the year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Grupo Galpão, a traditional theater group, as well as a big show for Gonzagão's 90th birthday.

In 2004, Sarau adopted the surname Agência de Cultura Brasileira (Brazilian Culture Agency). And this year it was time to celebrate the life and career of Grande Othelo, with the premiere of the show "Grande Othelo, Êta Moleque Bamba!", directed by André Paes Leme, followed by the launch of the website and biography by Sérgio Cabral. The collection, which was organized, cleaned and partly restored by Sarau, was transferred to FUNARTE (National Arts Foundation).

In 2007, we celebrated the 80th birthday of the master Ariano Suassuna, with his presence at a performance class at the Municipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro, an event that opened a series of actions carried out by Sarau, in partnership with various institutions such as Sesc Rio and Globo TV, which allowed us to make an overview of his work in exhibitions, readings, play shows, an unprecedented staging of Farsa da Boa Preguiça and the installation of the Ariano Suassuna Center at the Federal University of Pernambuco, which coordinated the cataloging of his collection

In 2010, Sarau took over the production of the Villa-Lobos Festival, an important annual event that disseminates the work of conductor and composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. In all, 10 editions were held by Sarau in partnership with the Villa-Lobos Museum.

In 2012, the centenary of Luiz Gonzaga was celebrated with excellent productions: the event "Gonzagão, 100 years", a series of 4 concerts with his greatest hits and the premiere of the award-winning show "Gonzagão - A Lenda", the starting point for the formation of the Barca dos Corações Partidos company (Boat of Broken Hearts - Brazilian Company of Movement and Sound)

In 2014 he premiered Ópera do Malandro at the Municipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro, the first official play by Barca dos Corações Partidos.

In 2017 we celebrated Ariano Suassuna once again, this time with a theatrical tribute: Suassuna - o Auto do Reino do Sol. A milestone in Sarau's history, it won 27 awards.

2018 was the time to pay homage to another giant of our culture, with the show "Elza", winner of 18 awards. The project led to other developments in 2021, with the show "Elzas" and the documentary "Elza Infinita", a partnership with Canal GNT, winner of the Silver Category in Documentary at the New York Film Festival 2022.

In 2024, Zahy Tentehar is the first indigenous actress to win the Best Actress category by the Rio de Janeiro jury of the 34th Shell Theater Awards, for Azira'i.

  • · Música Urbana na Floresta Urbana / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Ciclo Mignone (O Trio) / AGENCY

  • · Campello Donizetti / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

1992

  • Quintas no BNDES* / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

    *National Bank for Economic and Social Development

  • · Rio de Janeiro Verso e Reverso / THEATRE

1993

  • · Velha Guarda da Mangueira / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Alcassino e Nicoleta / THEATRE

  • · Música das Palavras / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Música no IBAM* / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

   *Brazilian Institute of Municipal Administration

  • · Quintas no BNDES* / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

   *National Bank for Economic and Social Development

  • · Fórum da Música Independente / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · 32nd Villa-Lobos Festival / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Teatro através da História* / BOOKS

    * Theater through History

1994

  • · Segura ele / MUSIC (CD)

  • · 33rd Villa-Lobos Festival / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Da Renascença ao Jazz / MUSIC (CD)

  • · Chorando no CCBB* / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

          *Bank of Brazil Cultural Center

  • · Chiquinha Gonzaga, uma Homenagem / THEATRE

  • · Quintas no BNDES* / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

           *National Bank for Economic and Social Development

  • · Quartas no MIS* / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

          *Museum of Image and Sound

  • · Samba dos Bambas / MUSIC (CD)

  • · Som do Arquivo / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

1995

  • Forrobodó, um choro na Cidade Nova / THEATRE

  • · Tragédias Cariocas para Rir / THEATRE

  • · Maria Tereza Madeira e Pedro Amorim / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Som de Bandolim / MUSIC (CD)

  • · Ernesto Nazareth, Revelações / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

1996

  • Baunilha e Troleto / THEATRE

  • · A Capital Federal / THEATRE

  • · Olivia Byington with Edgar Duvivier and O Trio / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Pixinguinha 100 years / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Cantos de Verão / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Na Trilha do Samba / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Rodrigo Melo Franco de Andrade Award – IPHAN* / SHOWS E CONCERTOS

         *National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute

  • · Camerata Gama Filho University / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Sempre Ernesto Nazareth / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Chiquinha Gonzaga, 150 years / THEATRE

  • · Pelourinho Dia e Noite / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

1997

  • Chico Viola / THEATRE

  • · Concertos para Juventude / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Hermeto e Os Novos / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Vozes do Mundo / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Vibrações de Jacob / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Rodrigo Melo Franco de Andrade Award – IPHAN* / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

         *National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute

  • · Choir from Accademia Nazionale Di Santa Cecilia and Orchestra de Câmara Salzburger Kammervituosen / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Quintas no BNDES* / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

         *National Bank for Economic and Social Development

1998

  • Mito Carmen Miranda / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Música de Câmara Brasileira* / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

         * Brazilian Chamber Music

  • · Samba Paulista de Adoniran / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Cantorias Nordestinas / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

1999

  • Cantorias Amazônicas / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Divina, 80 years of Elizete / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Petrópolis' 1st Winter Musical Season / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · MPB* – A História de Um Século / EXHIBITIONS

* Brazilian Popular Music

  • · Câmara Cascudo – Um Século de Brasilidade / EXHIBITIONS

  • · Trio / AGENCY

2000

  • · Memória da Destruição / EXHIBITIONS

  • · Engraçadinha / THEATER

  • · Carlos Gomes Project – O Coração do Rio / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Petrópolis' 2nd Winter Musical Season / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Brasília Musical Summer / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Cabaré Rodrigueano / THEATER

  • · No Compasso do Samba / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · É Preciso Mudar / MUSIC (CD)

2001

  • · Elis, a Estrela do Brasil / THEATER

  • · Grupo Galpão 20 years / THEATER

  • · Musical Summer / SHOWS E CONCERTOS

  • · Cantorias Paulistanas / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · A Vida Como Ela É / THEATER

  • · Frevendo o Frevo / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Barão do Rio Branco e A Alma Carioca / EXHIBITIONS

  • · Engraçadinha / THEATER

  • · Gonzagão, 90 years / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

2002

  • · Arca de Noé / THEATER

  • · Castiçal / THEATER

  • · Aquarela Polibrasil / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Inspetor Geral / THEATER

  • · Um Molière Imaginário / THEATER

  • · Campanha Teatro Para Todos* / THEATER

  • * Theater for All Campaig

2003

  • A Arca de Noé / THEATER

  • · Grande Othelo, Êta Moleque Bamba! / THEATER

  • · Escola Portátil de Música* / MUSIC WORKSHOPS

* Portable Music School

· Mostra Cia. Burlantins / THEATER

  • · Festival SESC Rio de Inverno / THEATER

  • · Campanha Teatro Para Todos* / THEATER

* Theater for All Campaign

2004

  • Projeto Circulação Música de Concerto* / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

*Concert Music Circulation Project

  • · Os Sete Afluentes do Rio Ota / THEATER

  • · Grande Othelo, Êta Moleque Bamba! / THEATER

  • · Sesc Winter Festival / THEATER

  • · Escola Portátil de Música* / MUSIC WORKSHOPS

* Portable Music School

  • · Campanha Teatro Para Todos* / THEATER

* Theater for All Campaign

  • · Tauromáquina / THEATER

2005

  • · Antônio e Cleópatra / THEATER

  • · Aquarela Polibrasil (O Samba é Meu Dom) / MUSIC (CD)

  • · Cazumbá / THEATER

  • · Amil / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Grande Othelo, Êta Moleque Bamba! / THEATER

  • · Campanha Teatro Para Todos* / THEATER

* Theater for All Campaign

  • · Escola Portátil de Música* / MUSIC WORKSHOPS

· * Portable Music School

  • · Violão no Brasil / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Um homem é um homem / THEATER

  • · Culture and Innovation Project - A Teatralidade do Humano / SERIES OF DEBATES

  • · Choro Carioca / MUSIC (CD)

  • · 2nd National Choro Festival / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Rio Winter Festival / THEATER

2006

  • A Hora e a vez de Augusto Matraga / THEATER

  • · Pequenos Milagres / THEATER

  • · Choro Ímpar / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Campanha Teatro Para Todos* / THEATER

* Theater for All Campaign

  • · Escola Portátil de Música* / MUSIC WORKSHOPS

* Portable Music School

  • · Tom de Câmara / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Grande Othelo 90 years / COLLECTION PRESERVATION - WEBSITE

  • · Mãe Coragem / THEATER

2007

  • · A Redenção pelo Sonho / THEATER

  • · Mãe Coragem / THEATER

  • · Ondekoza / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Ariano Suassuna 80 years / COLLECTION PRESERVATION - WEBSITE

  • · Cia. Primeiro Ato / THEATER

  • · Campanha Teatro Para Todos* / THEATER

* Theater for All Campaign

  • · Mostra Brasil - Juventude Transformando com Arte* / THEATER

*Brazil Exhibition - Youth Transforming with Art

  • · Art Metal Quinteto: Dezeno Viventeum / MUSIC (CD)

2008

  • Maria Clara Machado Collection / COLLECTION PRESERVATION - WEBSITE

  • · Campanha Teatro Para Todos* / THEATER

* Theater for All Campaign

  • · 47th Villa-Lobos Festival / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Til, a Saga de um Herói Torto / THEATER

  • · A Farsa da Boa Preguiça / THEATER

  • · Hamelin / THEATER

2009

  • Saltimbancos / THEATER

  • · Arts and Crafts Workshops / TRAINING AND CAPACITY-BUILDING WORKSHOPS

  • · 48º Festival Villa-Lobos / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Mostra Brasil Juventude Transformando com Arte / THEATER

  • · Campanha Teatro Para Todos* / THEATER

* Theater for All Campaign

  • · A Invenção de um Brasil Musical / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Trio da Canção Brasileira / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · A Hora e a vez de Augusto Matraga / THEATER

  • · Hamelin / THEATER

2010

  • Um Rubi no Umbigo / THEATER

  • · Hamelin / THEATER

  • · Estandartes / EXPOSIÇÕES

  • · Inverno da Luz Vermelha / THEATER

  • · Campanha Teatro Para Todos* / THEATER

* Theater for All Campaign

  • · 49th Villa-Lobos Festival / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · A Farsa da Boa Preguiça / THEATER

  • · Tio Vânia / THEATER

2011

  • · Eternos Modernos / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · JT Leroy / THEATER

  • · Gonzagão 100 anos / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Novas Esquinas / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Outro Van Gogh / THEATER

  • · 50th Villa-Lobos Festival / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Gonzagão - A Lenda / THEATER

  • · A Farsa da Boa Preguiça / THEATER

  • · Algumas Aventuras das Vinte Mil Léguas Submarinas / THEATE

2012

  • Art Metal Quinteto Apresenta / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Forrobodó / THEATER

  • · Feliz 1958! / THEATER

  • · Algumas Aventuras das Vinte Mil Léguas Submarinas / THEATER

  • · 51st Villa-Lobos Festival / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Carlos Scliar Memórias / EXHIBITIONS

  • · Gonzagão - A Lenda / THEATER

  • · A Farsa da Boa Preguiça / THEATER

2013

  • Ópera do Malandro / THEATER

  • · Forrobodó / THEATER

  • · Amigo Cyro, Muito lhe Admiro / THEATER

  • · Coletivo Samba Noir / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Feliz 1958! / THEATER

  • · Brasil de Jackson do Pandeiro / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · 52nd Villa-Lobos Festival / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Gonzagão - A Lenda / THEATER

  • · Art Metal Quinteto Apresenta / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Saltimbancos / THEATER

2014

  • Coletivo Samba Noir / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · 53rd Villa-Lobos Festival / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Ópera do Malandro / THEATER

  • · Gonzagão - A Lenda / THEATER

2015

  • Auê / THEATER

  • · Auê / MUSIC (CD)

  • · Gota d’Água / THEATER

  • · 54th Villa-Lobos Festival / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Made in Brazil / MUSIC (EP)

  • · Samba Sujo / MUSIC (EP)

  • · Gonzagão - A Lenda / THEATER

2016

  • · Suassuna – O Auto do Reino do Sol / THEATER

  • · Suassuna – O Auto do Reino do Sol / MUSIC (CD)

  • · 55th Villa-Lobos Festival / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Agosto / THEATER

  • · Alfredo em Furnas / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Auê / THEATER

  • · Gota d’Água / THEATER

  • · Gonzagão - A Lenda / THEATER

2017

  • Festival TOCA – Toda Canção / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

*TOCA Festival - Every Song

  • · 56th Villa-Lobos Festival / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Desancora / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Elza / THEATER

  • · Suassuna – O Auto do Reino do Sol / THEATER

  • · Auê / THEATER

  • · Agosto / THEATER

  • · Gota d’Água / THEATER

2018

  • · Sísifo / THEATER

  • · 57th Villa-Lobos Festival / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Khrystal / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Macunaíma - Uma Rapsódia Musical / THEATER

  • · Elza / THEATER

2019

  • · Jacksons do Pandeiro / THEATER

  • · Jacksons do Pandeiro / MUSIC (CD)

  • · A Hora da Estrela or O Canto de Macabéa / THEATER

  • · Macunaíma - Uma Rapsódia Musical / THEATER

  • · Auê / THEATER

  • · Elza / THEATER

  • · Sísifo / THEATER

  • · Festival TOCA – Toda Canção / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

*TOCA Festival - Every Song

2020

  • · A Hora da Estrela or O Canto de Macabéa / THEATER

  • · A Hora da Estrela or O Canto de Macabéa / MUSIC (CD)

  • · Auê / THEATER

  • · Elza / THEATER

  • · Elzas / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

  • · Elza Infinita / DOCUMENTARY

  • · Sísifo / THEATER

  • · Festival TOCA – Toda Canção / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

*TOCA Festival - Every Song

2021

  • A Hora da Estrela or O Canto de Macabéa / THEATER

  • · FIBRA - Festival Instrumental Brasil* / SHOWS AND CONCERTS

*Brazil Instrumental Festival

  • · Um Português e um Brasileiro entram num bar / THEATER

  • · Jacksons do Pandeiro / THEATER

  • · Museu Nacional / THEATER

  • · Sísifo / THEATER

2022

  • · Sísifo / THEATER

  • · Jacksons do Pandeiro / THEATER

  • · Portátil / THEATER

  • · Museu Nacional / THEATER

  • · Viva o Povo Brasileiro [de Naê a Dafé] / THEATER

  • · Azira'i / THEATER

2023

Timeline

Cast of the Jacksons do Pandeiro
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