If there’s one thing São Paulo residents love, it’s theater. That’s why we’ve selected the best plays on in São Paulo. Choose your favorite and enjoy!
Plays on in São Paulo:
Etiquette of Mourning – Nobody Asks the Dead Girl’s Mother Anything
After a decade off the stage, Daniele Tavares debuts an autobiographical solo in which she reflects on the pain and mourning of the loss of her daughter, bringing up debates about mental health and the silencing of bereaved mothers. Directed by Marcelo Varzea, the play takes an artistic look at suffering, transforming memories into narrative.
📅 Until 15/12
Friday, Saturday and Monday at 8pm; Sunday at 7pm
🎫 From R$40
📍 Teatro Pequeno Ato: Rua Dr. Teodoro Baima, 78 – República
Alices
In a place with a dreamlike atmosphere, two women named Alice meet, revealing stories of gender violence and feminicide. The show features elements of fantastic realism, proposing a critical reflection on the subject without losing its lightness.
📅 13/11 a 13/12
🕓 Thursday to Saturday, at 8:30 p.m. | Sessions alternate times on public holidays
🎫 From R$15
📍 Sesc Pinheiros: Rua Paes Leme, 195 – Pinheiros
Ruth & Léa
The play pays homage to Ruth de Souza and Léa Garcia, icons of Brazilian black theater. By telling the story of two actresses who are preparing a movie-musical about these characters, the play celebrates black culture and the legacy of these pioneers.
Until 30/11
Wednesday to Friday at 8pm; Saturday and Sunday at 6pm
🎫 From R$15
📍 Sesc Pompeia: Rua Clélia, 93 – Água Branca
Valencia = 2 men + 1 cooler
Male friendship is the theme of this dramatic comedy, in which two friends bond over a kidney transplant. The play promotes reflections on empathy, solidarity and the meaning of true friendship in contemporary times.
Until 30/11
🕓 Friday and Saturday at 8pm; Sunday at 7pm | Extra sessions on Mondays 17 and 24/11, at 8pm
Free of charge
📍 IBT – Instituto Brasileiro de Teatro: Avenida Brigadeiro Luís Antônio, 277 – Bela Vista
The Machine
The classic is back after 25 years and tells the saga of Antônio, who tries to change the fate of a small town to prevent his beloved from leaving it. With Lázaro Ramos in the cast, “The Machine” is a tale about dreams and transformation, showing the reality of so many small Brazilian towns.
📅 Until 14/12
🕓 Thursday and Friday, 9pm; Saturday, 6pm and 9pm; Sunday, 6pm
🎫 From R$75
📍 TEATROIQUÈ: Rua Iquiririm, 110 – Butantã
Dona Lola
Marcelo Médici celebrates his 35-year career with a new solo comedy! The show follows Dona Lola, a lady who becomes a hit on social media and decides to take to the stage to reveal her secrets and memories. With hilarious anecdotes about friendship, family and forgiveness, all based on real stories from the actor’s career.
📅 Until 14/12
Saturdays, 9:30 p.m.; Sundays, 7:30 p.m.
🎫 From R$60
📍 Renaissance Theater: Alameda Santos, 2233, – Cerqueira César
The Smartest Man in History
Next up is another of the plays on show that are inspired by existing works. “The Smartest Man in History” is based on Augusto Cury’s best-seller, which follows atheist psychiatrist Marco Polo on a journey about emotions, faith and creativity as he studies the mind of Jesus.
Until 23/11
Sundays, 7pm
🎫 From R$50
📍 Teatro Itália: Avenida Ipiranga, 344 – Centro
Fictions
This is another of the plays in São Paulo that are inspired by books, in this case by Yuval Noah Harari’s “Sapiens”. With Vera Holtz in the lead role, “Ficções” explores the human power to invent fictions such as nations and money, questioning the collective beliefs that shape society.
Until 21/12
🕓 Fridays and Saturdays, 8pm; Sundays, 6pm
🎫 From R$25
📍 FAAP Theater: Rua Alagoas, 903 – Higienópolis
A Family in Search of an Actor
In this solo, Anderson Muller plays a recently famous actor in his fifties who returns to his hometown. By revisiting memories, dilemmas and his family, the character offers a poetic reflection on career and the value of roots.
Until 19/11
🕓 Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8pm; extra performances 01, 02, 15 and 16/11 (Saturdays, 7pm; Sundays, 6pm)
🎫 From R$40
📍 Teatro Itália: Avenida Ipiranga, 344 – República
A Very Special Day
“A Very Special Day” is one of a series of plays in São Paulo inspired by acclaimed works. Like the film of the same name, the play presents the encounter between a lonely housewife and a neighbor who has just been fired for being gay, on a momentous day in fascist Rome. The plot discusses acceptance, love, prejudice and the role of women in society.
Until 30/11 | Fridays and Saturdays at 5pm and 8pm; Sundays at 5pm
🎫 From R$70
📍 Sérgio Cardoso Theater: Rua Rui Barbosa, 153 – Bela Vista
Elã
Eight different narratives intersect in this show, showing us the lives of the characters. The show brings together different stage styles, flirting with the universe of musicals to show stories of family, ancestry and desire.
📅 Until 17/11
🎫 Free, with tickets distributed 1 hour before the session
📍 Mungunzá Container Theater: Rua dos Gusmões, 43, Santa Ifigênia
Before Me at the Bottom
The play deals with female relationships between past and future, discussing social roles and ancestry in a dreamlike and engaging way.
Until 16/11
Saturdays and Sundays, 4pm
🎫 Free, with tickets available on the website
📍 SP Escola de Teatro: Praça Roosevelt, 210 – Consolação
📅 20/11 a 30/11
🕓 Saturdays and Sundays, 4pm; extra sessions consult schedule
🎫 Free, with tickets available on the website
📍 Teatro Cacilda Becker: Rua Tito, 295 – Lapa
The Son
“The Son” is another of the plays on show that tackle difficult subjects in a sensitive and moving way. In this drama about a depressed teenager who moves out of his mother’s house to live with his father and stepmother, the audience will find deep reflections on mental health and family.
Until 07/12
Thursday to Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 6pm
🎫 From R$75
📍 Teatro Vivo: Avenida Chucri Zaidan, 2460 – Morumbi
New Guidelines in Times of Peace
A fable about refugees and post-war bureaucracy that brings up the memories, humanity and tensions of Brazil in the 1940s, directed by Bosco Brasil.
📅 Until 08/02/2026
Friday and Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 4pm
🎫 From R$80
📍 Teatro Estúdio: Rua Conselheiro Nébias, 891 – Santa Cecília
Paradoxical Paths
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Die Hard Crew presents a show that brings together Hip Hop dance, resistance and peripheral culture, with performances in various regions of the city.
📅 13/11
🕓 16h
🎫 Free
📍 Dance Reference Center: Praça Ramos de Azevedo – Centro
Upcoming plays in São Paulo
Queda de Baleia ou Canto para Dançar com Minha Morte
Bruna Longo’s solo reflects on death and mourning in a cemetery, exploring taboos in a sensitive and disruptive society.
📅 16/01/2026 a 08/02/2026
🕓 Friday to Sunday, 7pm
🎫 From R$30
📍 Redentor Cemetery Chapel: Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 1105 – Sumaré
