IMPA Tech students watch the play Noviça Rebelde at the Riachuelo Theater

24/06/2024

This Sunday (23rd), IMPA Tech students attended a screening of “The Novice Rebel” at the Riachuelo Theater in downtown Rio de Janeiro. The building was constructed in the 19th century and was home to the Brazilian National Casino and the Cine Palácio. Part of the undergraduate cultural activities, the excursion marked many students’ first time at a play and was an opportunity to connect with Rio’s culture.

Adriana Kaminsky Riffel, from Itapema (SC), was delighted with the opportunity. “I’d never been to see a play in a theater before, so it was very special for me. The show has surreal technical and artistic quality,” she said.

The Brazilian super-production is directed by Charles Möeller and Claudio Botelho. The duo is considered to be the most important reference in musical theater in the country and has several productions under its belt: remakes of classic and recent musicals; original creations, musical revues, shows, among others.

The cast of the play is made up of more than 40 actors and delighted the undergraduate students. The iconic couple Maria and Captain Von Trapp are played by actors Malu Rodrigues and Pierre Baitelli, while young Larissa Manoela plays Liesl, as well as a group of 18 children selected in auditions.

Student Bianca Moreno, from Fortaleza (CE), also went to the theater for the first time and found the excursion sensational. “I’d never been to a theater before and I was already impressed just by the facade and the interior of the place. The play has a very funny story, I laughed a lot. What’s more, the actors played incredible roles,” she said.

“The Rebel Novice” is a classic. The play tells the story of a novice who lives in a convent but cannot adapt to the religious rules. She goes to work as a governess for a widowed captain with seven children and brings joy back to the house.

The show premiered on Broadway in 1959 and six years later hit theaters starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.

There were eight Tony Awards for the original production and five Oscar trophies for the film, as well as countless versions all over the world. The season in Rio de Janeiro opened in April and ran until last Sunday (23).

For Herivelton Siqueira, a student from Potirendaba (SP), the experience was unique. “It was really enriching, culturally speaking, to be able to watch a classic in the theater. The show mixes acting with music, I really enjoyed it!” he said.

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