“Las Choronas” arrives at CCBB Rio on January 8 with Minas Gerais collectives. Directed by Byron O’Neill, it blends surrealism, absurd theater, and poetic Libras in a bold 60-minute show.
Mineiro cast unites in Rio
Artists from Pigmalião Escultura que Mexe, Cia 5 Cabeças, and Mulher que Bufa in Belo Horizonte star in Las Choronas. It stems from the winning short scene at Galpão Cine Horto Festival 2022.
Byron O’Neill, a key figure in Minas theater, directs. Actors manipulate puppets, which in turn handle them, blurring lines between body, object, sound, and movement.
It’s not linear with beginning, middle, end. It offers vital provocations on love, identity, abandonment, and political critique.
The work draws from improvisations, gestural scores, and poetry. It nods to David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive and Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot.
Libras as core language
Dancer and interpreter Uziel Ferreira weaves Libras and musical Libras into poetry and choreography. Beyond translation, it enhances accessibility on stage.
Cast dances in sync with his expressions, turning Libras into dramatic fuel. Multilingual elements—Portuguese, Italian, Libras—mirror the diverse ensemble.
Synopsis and roots
Nothing to be done. Nada a fazer. Esto es una grabación. Não há banda! We hear the nothing anyway. Baby’s cry on cuíca. Just tears and Las Choronas.
The title evokes the collectives’ first collaboration and a Mulholland Drive scene with “Llorando.” Characters like Liz, Carol, and Aurora play with manipulation.
Details
Las Choronas
Theater II
Run: January 8 to February 8, 2026
Thu-Sat: 7pm | Sun: 6pm
Rating: 12+ | Duration: 60 min
Tickets: box office and CCBB site. Full R$30 | Half R$15 (students, seniors 65+, eligible groups, BB cardholders).
Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil
Rua Primeiro de Março, 66 – Centro – Rio de Janeiro – RJ
Tel: (21) 3808-2020 | ccbbrio@bb.com.br
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Hours: Wed-Mon 9am-8pm (closed Tuesdays). Sundays 8-9am: exclusive for intellectual/mental disabilities and companions (Municipal Law nº 6.278/2017).
