De Perto Ninguém é Normal opens short run at CAIXA Cultural

Comedy “De Perto Ninguém é Normal” premieres December 4 at CAIXA Cultural and marks 25 years of CiaTeatro Epigenia.

CAIXA Cultural presents a short season of the comedy De Perto Ninguém é Normal, a major success by CiaTeatro Epigenia that launches the celebration of its 25-year history. The premiere takes place on December 4, 2025, at Teatro Nelson Rodrigues.

The company chose light comedy to welcome audiences returning to theaters after the pandemic. The play uses the spirit of vaudeville, with intrigue, confusion and comic twists that celebrate theater, audiences and artists.

The show first premiered at SESI-SP’s Teatro Popular, known for promoting democratic cultural access. Selected to open the 2023 season on the iconic Avenida Paulista stage, it drew more than 30,000 spectators in four months.

With an ensemble of 11 notable Rio-based performers, De Perto Ninguém é Normal portrays the backstage chaos of a troupe on the verge of opening night. Veteran and emerging talents create a dynamic environment true to the company’s artistic vision.

The show became a public sensation, selling out every performance. Even so, more than 100 people per day left without tickets. In 2024 it joined the “Viagem Teatral” circuit, expanding its reach across São Paulo’s countryside.

The plot follows a company attempting to stage Arsenic and Old Lace, by Joseph Kesselring, a comedy classic known in Brazil as “Arsênico e Alfazema”, famously staged at TBC in 1949 with Cacilda Becker.

The production received CENYM Award nominations in four categories: Best Company, Best Set Design, Best Technical Production and Best Art Direction.

Although the group usually works with socially engaged material, the choice of comedy aims to offer pure joy. According to founder Luciana Fávero, the intention is simple: to make audiences laugh.

“De Perto Ninguém é Normal also revisits popular theater traditions without sacrificing its comic energy.” — review by Márcio Tito

The narrative presents delayed costumes, misplaced props and internal conflicts. On opening night, almost everything goes wrong. Still, the director’s mandate is clear: “Whatever happens, do not stop the show!”.

CiaTeatro Epigenia celebrates 25 years with more than 25 productions, tours across 21 Brazilian states and recognition from major awards such as CENYM, Aplauso Brasil, Shell and APCA.

Guided by its founder Paso, the company maintains its mission of bringing theater to audiences nationwide. Since 2012 it has premiered one new production each year, with seasons in Rio, São Paulo and numerous touring circuits.

More information: www.epigenia.art and @ctepigenia.