Carnival is coming closer and nothing better than look to the past and see how the Brazilian Carnival was back then. This is the proposal of the spectacle Lamartine Babo that comes to Brasília to a double presentation at Sala Martins Penna, in Teatro Nacional (National Theater).

Lamartine Babo is an award-winning play that has toured for some of Brazil’s capital as well as overseas. Directed and written by Antunes Filho, the prime purpose of the play is homage the old Carnival Marchinhas and spread the joy these music used to spread decades ago. The director defines Lamartine Babo as a “dramatic musical” that tells the story of the songwriter – Lamartine Babo - that became well-know not only for his Carnival music, but also for the football team anthems he created.

“The idea is to tell the story in a funny way”, explains the director. It’s a welcome change in the director’s theater group style that is usually denser. “We think a lot, sometimes we need a break”, he jokes.

Venue: Sala Martins Penna (Martins Penna Auditorium), Teatro Nacional (National Theater)
Where: Setor Cultural Norte – Asa Norte – Next to Conjunto Nacional Shopping
When: Thursday, January 26th and Friday, January 27th, at 9 p.m.
Price: Free
Information: (61) 3325-6240
Rate: 12

The Carioca theater group Moitará comes to Brasília to a present the spectacle Acorda Zé! A Comadre tá de pé!  

The spectacle shows the epic tale of Zé-di-Riba, a storyteller. Zé-di-Riba creates the craziest stories, always trying to get rid of labor. Every story Zé-di-Riba tells is made with the purpose of not doing favors to anyone.

Acorda Zé! A Comadre tá de pé! dives in the Brazilian cultural universe, making a parallel between regionalist characters and the characters of commedia dell’arte.

Venue: Teatro da Caixa (Caixa’s Theater) - Caixa Cultural
Where: SBS Quadra 4, lote 3/4, next to Banco Central Building
When: From February 2nd to February 5yh. Thursday and Saturday, at 8 p.m.; Sunday, at 7 p.m. 
Price: R$20,00
Information: (61) 3206-9448
Rate: 12

The kids in Brasília have another option for fun in this holiday season. Cia Neia e Nando presents an adaptation of the classic story of The Three Little Pigs (Os Três Porquinhos). Beloved by children all over the world, the tale of the pig brothers, who try to escape of a bad wolf building houses in the woods, has gained some interesting features in the play that premieres in Brasília this week.

Although the kids know the end of the story, they can be surprised by the adaptation written by Néia Paz. In this new version, for example, the big bad wolf appears married to a very demanding female wolf.

Venue: Teatro da Escola Parque
Where: Avenida W3 Sul, Quadra 307/507 Su, Asa Sul, Brasília
When: From January, 7th to February 26th. Saturdays and Fridays at 5 p.m.
Price: R$30,00 and R$15,00 (half-price for students and senior citizens)
Information: (61) 8199-2120
Rate: Free

Alexandre Ribondi is a veteran in Brasília’s theater scene. Mr. Ribondi is back to town to present his latest show: A Arte de Dizer Palavrão ( The Art of Swearing).

 A Arte de Dizer Palavrão (The Art of Swearing) is a stand-up comedy about the everyday dirty language. In the show, Mr. Ribondi teaches a lesson about the true origin of certain words, how and when to use it, and reveals the Brazilian’s favorite “dirty word”.

Besides all that, Mr. Ribondi interacts with the audience, which makes A Arte de Dizer Palavrão (The Art of Swearing) an organic experience that changes every time you see it. A Arte de Dizer Palavrão (The Art of Swearing) is directed by Abaetê Queiroz and promises to make everybody laughs this holiday season in Brasília.

Venue: Espaço Cultural - Brasília Shopping
Where: SCN Qd 05 BL. A  - Asa Norte
When: From January 6th to February 26th. Friday and Saturday, at 9 p.m.; Sundays, at 7 p.m.
Price: R$ 40,00 and R$ 20,00 (half-price for students, senior citizens, and whoever donates 1kg of non perishable food)
Information: (61) 9117-1071
Rate: 18

Reality and fiction comes together in the juvenile play Elizabeth Tudo Pode (Elizabeth Can Do It All). The spectacle was developed based in theatrical and historical research, mixing the real and the imaginary, turning the History in story.

Elizabeth Tudo Pode (Elizabeth Can Do It All) presents the life and achievements of Queen Elizabeth I – Elizabeth Tudor, and also brings references to Library of Alexandria and its destroyer Julius Ceasar. The design, script and assembly were done by Cia Yinspiração Poéticas Contemporâneas along with Gê Martú (actor) and Virgilio Mota (craftsman). The play recreates a library where books are alive, talk with the protagonist and let its characters escape to help telling the story of the monarch.

Venue: Teatro Eva Herz – Livraria Cultura - Shopping Iguatemi Brasília
Where: SHIN CA 4 - Lago Norte
When: Every Sunday, from January 8th, 2012 to January 29th, 2012. At 3 p.m.
Price: R$ 30,00 and R$ 15,00 (half-price for students and senior citizens)
Information: (61) 2109-2700
Rate: Free