Based on the Jabuti-nominated novel by Júlia Portes, the play premieres Dec 6 at Teatro Glaucio Gill, Rio de Janeiro.
From award-nominated novel to the stage
“O céu no meio da cara” (The Sky in the Middle of the Face), directed by Caio Riscado, opens on December 6 at Teatro Glaucio Gill in Copacabana. The play is adapted from Júlia Portes’ acclaimed debut novel published by NAU Editora in 2022, which was a finalist at the 2023 Jabuti Awards. The performance runs through December 29, with shows every Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 8 p.m.
Adapted for the stage by Júlia Portes in collaboration with Denise Portes and Dora de Assis, the production blends humor, memory and emotion while maintaining the expressive tone of the original work.
A story of three generations of women
The play centers on grandmother Carmelita (Carmen Frenzel) and granddaughter Laura (Júlia Portes) during the wake of Marília, their daughter and mother, who dies unexpectedly at 53. Laura, a mortuary makeup artist, prepares her mother’s body as Carmelita revisits her past in the fictional town of Manduim, Minas Gerais. Through tender and biting dialogue, the two confront family secrets and their shared history.
Soundtrack and live music are performed by musician Frederico Santiago, who also serves as musical director and participates in scenes that intertwine music and narrative.
The literary success that inspired the play
Published in late 2022, “The Sky in the Middle of the Face” has sold over a thousand copies, inspired an audio-serial adaptation, and was featured in readings in Brazil and abroad. The book’s cinematic rights have already been acquired, and its theatrical version continues to broaden its artistic reach.
Service
Play: “O céu no meio da cara” (The Sky in the Middle of the Face)
Venue: Teatro Glaucio Gill – Praça Cardeal Arco Verde, Copacabana
Season: December 6–29, 2025
Schedule: Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m.
Running time: 80 minutes
Age rating: 16+
Tickets: R$60 (full) and R$30 (half-price)
Online sales: funarj.eleventickets.com
Box office hours: Mon–Fri 4 p.m.–10 p.m.; Sat–Sun 3 p.m.–10 p.m.
Instagram: @oceunomeiodacara
Credits: Divulgação
