Chico César Reimagines Newton Moreno's "As Centenárias" as a Bold New Musical

As Centenárias, the celebrated play by Newton Moreno, will premiere at Sesc Bom Retiro on May 14, running through June 14. Directed by Luiz Carlos Vasconcelos, the production stars Juliana Linhares and Laila Garin as two elderly professional mourners traveling through Brazil’s Northeastern sertão performing funeral rituals and farewell ceremonies. Blending humor, poetry and emotional storytelling, the new version features 16 original songs by Chico César, who also serves as musical director alongside Elísio Freitas. Nearly two decades after the original production became a landmark of Brazilian theatre, this reimagined staging brings fresh musicality and contemporary energy to one of the country’s most acclaimed modern plays.

_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/brazil/article/Acclaimed-Play-AS-CENTENRIAS-The-Centenarians-Gets-Bold-Musical-Reinvention-With-Music-by-Chico-Csar-20260508)._