“An Unimaginary Friend” opens the 2026 children’s theater season at Sesc Pinheiros, with shows on Sundays from January 11 to February 22.
The Sesc Pinheiros launches its 2026 children’s theater lineup with the premiere of “An Unimaginary Friend” by Cia Navega Jangada de Teatro. The play — centered on imagination, friendship, and invisible bonds — runs from January 11 to February 22, 2026, every Sunday at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
The story follows three distinct characters: Alberto, a 50-year-old bureaucrat; Nico, an imaginary friend who’s never been imagined; and Lua, a popular imaginary friend among children. Their meeting sparks a poetic and humorous reflection on the power of imagination to connect worlds.
With original compositions by Rodrigo Régis, music takes center stage as part of the narrative. The costumes and set design, curated by Talita Cabral alongside Palhassada Ateliê, highlight contrasts between the gray office life and the colorful realm of imagination. Illustrations by Mariana Sibinel—inspired by drawings from children and teens—enhance the show’s playful atmosphere.
“Alberto, a rather serious man, suddenly meets a boy—an imaginary friend. But he didn’t imagine this boy. That’s the core of our story,” says Talita Cabral.
Founded in 2008 in Santo André (SP), Cia Navega Jangada de Teatro stands out for combining puppetry, circus, and live music. The company aims to engage both children and adults, encouraging audiences to reconnect with their creative and imaginative sides.
Synopsis
An invisible friend longs to be imagined by a child. Never created by anyone, he faces the loneliness of the imaginary world until he accidentally meets an adult, leading to a funny yet touching encounter about seeing beyond what’s visible.
Service
An Unimaginary Friend
With Cia Navega Jangada de Teatro
Venue: Sesc Pinheiros – Auditorium (3rd floor)
Dates: January 11 to February 22 – Sundays, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Duration: 50 minutes
Rating: All ages
Tickets: R$ 12 (members), R$ 20 (half-price), R$ 40 (full). Free for children up to 12.
Address: Rua Paes Leme, 195, Pinheiros – São Paulo (SP)
More information: https://www.sescsp.org.br/programacao/um-amigo-nao-imaginario/
Photo: Cia Navega Jangada de Teatro / Courtesy
