Play honoring Ismael Silva tours Rio with 11 affordable performances at FUNARJ theaters in November and December.
After successful seasons with both critics and audiences, the play “Professor Samba – A Tribute to Ismael Silva” resumes its run in Rio de Janeiro. The production will feature 11 performances in November and December, visiting Teatro Armando Gonzaga, Teatro Mário Lago, and Imperator, with low-cost tickets.
A tribute to a samba legend
The show celebrates the life of Ismael Silva (1905–1978), founder of Brazil’s first samba school, Deixa Falar, which later became Estácio de Sá. Set between the 1920s and 1950s, the narrative takes place in a lively samba circle in Rio’s Estácio and Lapa neighborhoods, filled with stories, rhythm, and the signature bohemian spirit of the city.
Cast and awards
Written by Ana Velloso and directed by her and Édio Nunes, the play won the APTR Award for Choreography (Édio Nunes and Milton Filho). The cast — Édio Nunes, Jorge Maya, and Milton Filho — alternates in the role of Ismael Silva, portraying various characters from the golden era of samba.
“This production pays tribute to Ismael’s legacy and to the many Black artists who shaped Brazil’s cultural identity. It also reminds us of the ongoing struggle for recognition and equality,” says actor Édio Nunes.
Ismael Silva: the samba teacher
Born in Niterói, Ismael Silva became one of Brazil’s most important musicians. As a founder of Deixa Falar, he helped transform samba into a national symbol. His story, marked by success and hardship, mirrors the resilience and creativity of Black culture in Brazil.
The play also invites reflection on the decolonization of Black bodies, connecting Ismael’s life to that of the actors on stage. “We wanted to link past, present, and future, emphasizing that Black bodies are political bodies inseparable from their historical and cultural context,” explains playwright Ana Velloso.
Service
Play: Professor Samba – A Tribute to Ismael Silva
Duration: 80 minutes
Age rating: 14+
Schedule
Teatro Armando Gonzaga
Av. Gen. Osvaldo Cordeiro de Farias, 511 – Marechal Hermes
Nov 13, 14, 27 and 28 – 7 p.m.
Tickets: R$5 (full) / R$2.50 (half)
Teatro Mário Lago
R. Jaime Redondo, 2 – Vila Kennedy
Nov 20, 21 and 22 – 7 p.m.
Tickets: R$5 (full) / R$2.50 (half)
Imperator – Centro Cultural João Nogueira
R. Dias da Cruz, 170 – Méier
Dec 10, 11, 12 and 18 – 7 p.m.
Tickets: R$5 (full) / R$2.50 (half)
