SOME THINGS TO DO IN SAO PAULO

[trilingual]

Besides the saunas, of course!

 

Currently playing to packed houses is the new Brazilian production of "Chicago" (in Portuguese). This is the production seen recently in New York and London, only in translation. Definitely up to Broadway standards (it cost nearly R$6 million, a huge sum in Brazilian theater, with top ticket prices at R$135) and starring two popular Brazilian soap opera stars as Velma Kelly and Billy Flynn. (Who knew either of these two actors had good singing voices?) Very hunky male dancers! It's at the Teatro Abril. If you're functional in Portuguese, tickets are available through http://www.ticketmaster.com.br Otherwise, I'd suggest asking Carlo Romano (or another travel agent in Brazil) for help.

 

Also playing in SP is "He Never Said He Loved Me," a well-done musical biography of Cole Porter with a six-woman cast. The songs are mostly sung in English, although several have been translated into Portuguese.