“Ainda Existe Amor?” opens in April at Casa de Cultura Laura Alvim in Ipanema, exploring marital crisis, gender inequality, and new beginnings on stage.
A couple on the edge
The play “Ainda Existe Amor?” (Is There Still Love?) takes the stage at Casa de Cultura Laura Alvim, in the Ipanema neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, throughout April, with performances every Tuesday and Wednesday at 8 PM. The story follows Lia and Max, a couple approaching their forties who seemed to have it all — stability, a home, a shared history — but are now facing a serious marital crisis.
Everything shifts with the arrival of two new characters. Net, a domestic worker hired by Lia, brings fresh perspectives into the household. Iza, Max’s best friend, starts working in the same department as Lia and further disrupts the couple’s dynamic. These new connections awaken dormant feelings, expose hidden truths, and force Lia and Max to confront their own vulnerabilities.
A Brazilian voice on gender and work
The original script was written by journalist and actress Angel Montteiro, who also plays Lia. The text tackles pressing themes — gender pay gaps and the disproportionate domestic workload carried by women — through a light, fictional, and decidedly non-naturalistic lens.
In “Ainda Existe Amor?” I invite you to dive into a story that challenges the expectations of romantic love and addresses serious questions about the excessive workload women face inside and outside the home. As the characters navigate the complexities of relationships, disappointments, and second chances, I hope the audience sees themselves reflected in their journeys.
For Montteiro, the play is a tribute to women who tirelessly balance careers, domestic responsibilities, and family finances — a celebration of those who manage to thrive despite countless obstacles.
Surrealist direction by Anselmo Vasconcellos
Director Anselmo Vasconcellos, widely recognized for his role in the series “Tremembé”, brings a dynamic and surrealist vision to the production, inviting audiences to see reality through a different lens.
In this creative territory of ours, nothing stays intact. Fiction barks, lies, and reveals itself all at once, building a reality parallel to life. It pokes the audience so they can dream with their eyes open. This is the show — a cloud of electrons we have the sweet illusion of touching. Hamlet taught us that the actor does not exist, they perform in empty spaces, where the transformations of existence occur.
A seasoned cast
The production features a strong ensemble. Patrícia Pinho spent six years on the comedy show “Zorra Total” on Rede Globo and currently plays the gossip character Zélia on “Pablo e Luisão”. Actress and singer Fabiana Xavier trained at the renowned community theater group Nós do Morro. Actor and singer Akin Miranda leads “Ordinários Elétricos”, a group that pays homage to Bahian Axé Music in Rio’s carnival circuit.
Event Info
- Show: Ainda Existe Amor? (Is There Still Love?)
- Venue: Casa de Cultura Laura Alvim — Av. Vieira Souto, 176, Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro
- When: Every Tuesday and Wednesday throughout April
- Time: 8 PM
