Teatro Dulcina stages ritual play about Seu Zé

“Seu Zé – a ritual theater play” honors Zé Pilintra and unites art and spirituality in two shows at Teatro Dulcina.

Teatro Dulcina, in downtown Rio de Janeiro, presents the play “Seu Zé – a ritual theater play” on December 6 and 7. The production is promoted by the National Arts Foundation – Funarte, as part of the Funarte Aberta Program. With affordable tickets, the show offers a stage experience that blends theater, ritual and devotion.

Inspired by Zé Pilintra, a key figure in Brazilian popular culture, the play invites audiences to experience an encounter between art and spirituality. The proposal is to bring different audiences closer to this symbolic universe. In doing so, the production strengthens the dialogue between tradition, faith and contemporary theater.

The show features actors Gabriel Bittencourt, Gustavo Bacchini and Joathan Pires. The creation dives into the Brazilian spiritual imagination, especially that of Umbanda, revering Zé Pilintra as a symbol of joy, resistance and transformation. Through a ritualistic and sensorial staging, the play leads the audience on a journey of faith, self-discovery and sharing.

“Seu Zé is a play about life, faith and spiritual transformation. We invite the audience to enter barefoot and share this magical universe, where the stage becomes a ground of enchantment and surrender. The arena-style presentation intensifies this ritual experience, creating an atmosphere that moves and connects,” say Gabriel and Joathan, from the cultural producer Axé Deles, which conceived and produced the project.

Tribute to Zé Pilintra and Afro-Brazilian religions

The artists highlight the cultural and symbolic importance of the spiritual entity portrayed on stage. For them, Zé Pilintra is an essential figure in Afro-Brazilian worship, especially among Umbanda practitioners. The show therefore takes on a role of tribute and recognition of these traditions.

According to the group, the work seeks to bring audiences closer to this universe, dismantling prejudice and reinforcing respect for African-based religions. The stories that emerge during the performance uplift those present. They also reveal Seu Zé’s wisdom, linked to finding joy even when life is not perfect.

Award-winning trajectory in Minas Gerais

In 2024, “Seu Zé – a ritual theater play” toured independently through several cities in Minas Gerais. The season included performances at Funarte MG, in Belo Horizonte. Audience and critical reception helped consolidate the strength of the production.

That same year, the play was part of the 12th Fetuba – Ubá Theater Festival, where it received the awards for Best Play and Best Actor, among other honors. It was also recognized as Best Alternative Play at the 4th National Theater Festival of Passos. The sessions sold out during the Popularization Campaign of Theater and Dance in Juiz de Fora and on other stages, such as Teatro Ruth de Souza in Rio de Janeiro.

For the cultural producer Axé Deles, responsible for creating and producing the play, art and spirituality go hand in hand. “We seek to unite art and religion, fundamental pillars for social progress,” emphasize Gabriel and Joathan. Each presentation reaffirms this commitment.

Service

Play: “Seu Zé – a ritual theater play”

Dates: December 6 and 7, 2025 (Saturday and Sunday)

Time: 6 p.m.

Venue: Teatro Dulcina – R. Alcindo Guanabara, 17, Centro, Rio de Janeiro – RJ

Age rating: 10 years and over

Duration: 50 minutes

Tickets: R$ 40 (full) | R$ 20 (half)

Sales: Uniticket website and theater box office

Link: https://www.uniticket.com.br/eventos/seu-ze-rio-de-janeiro