Teatro João Caetano, Neoclassical theater in Centro, Niterói, Brazil
Teatro João Caetano is a neoclassical theater in downtown Niterói, Brazil, classified under the INEPAC heritage register. The building has three performance spaces: a main auditorium with seating on several levels, a multimedia room called Sala Carlos Couto, and the Salão Nobre for smaller events.
A small performance house run by the Sociedade Filodramática da Praia Grande occupied the site from 1827. In 1842 the actor João Caetano bought the property, renovated it and opened it as Teatro Santa Tereza, named for the future empress Teresa Cristina de Bourbon-Duas Sicílias. He ran it until his death in 1863, and in 1900 the Câmara Municipal de Niterói renamed it Teatro Municipal João Caetano in his honour.
The theater's name honors João Caetano, the actor who bought the small playhouse in 1842, renamed it Teatro Santa Tereza and ran it until his death in 1863; in 1900 the municipal council renamed it after him. The Salão Nobre on the third floor seats at most 120 people and hosts free lectures, recitals and chamber concerts.
The theater sits in the center of Niterói and is easy to reach on foot from the ferry terminal and the surrounding squares. It is worth checking the program in advance, since the three halls run separate schedules and are not always open at the same time.
The interior paintings are by Thomas Driendl, and the current stage curtain was created for the 1992–1995 restoration by landscape designer and artist Roberto Burle Marx. Tim Maia made his last public appearance here on 8 March 1998, falling ill during the show; he died eight days later.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,627 contributors worldwide.