Key Takeaways
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- Volkswagen has announced its sponsorship of the musical Wicked, which is set to debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2026, demonstrating the companys commitment to supporting national culture and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives.
- The show tells the story of Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship before Dorothys arrival in Oz, starring Myra Ruiz and Fabi Bang. Tickets are available at Sympla.com.br and the official City of Arts Bibi Ferreira ticket office.
- The Rouanet Law allows companies and individuals to contribute to cultural projects without directly donating to the government, and Volkswagen Brazil is using this law to support the production of Wicked.
- The Artium Institute and Atelier de Cultura are known for bringing high-quality live entertainment productions to Brazilian audiences, including Wicked, and are committed to making theater accessible to a wider audience by providing free tickets to social entities and schools, and offering affordable ticket options.
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Volkswagen has announced its sponsorship of the musical Wicked, which will debut in Rio de Janeiro on July 15, 2026, at the City of Arts Bibi Ferreira, following a successful run in São Paulo. Volkswagen Brazil is supporting the production, Wicked – The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz, through the Rouanet Law, demonstrating the company’s commitment to national culture and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. Over one million Brazilians have already seen the show, which finally comes to Rio after years of requests from fans. Claudio Rawicz, Volkswagen’s Communication Director, stated the company is excited to bring Wicked to Rio, as it aligns with their strategy of connecting with people through art and culture. Carlos Cavalcanti, President of the Artium Culture Institute, described the production as a gift for fans. Starring Myra Ruiz and Fabi Bang, Wicked tells the story of Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship before Dorothy’s arrival in Oz. The production is co-produced by Atelier de Cultura and realized by the Artium Culture Institute, the Ministry of Culture, and the Federal Government. Sponsors include Bradesco Seguros, Volkswagen Brazil, Prio, Alelo, Eurofarma, and Unisys.
Tickets for the Rio de Janeiro season of Wicked, ranging from R$50.00 to R$400.00, are available at Sympla (Sympla.com.br) and the official City of Arts Bibi Ferreira ticket office, located at Av. Das Americas, 5.300, Barra Da Tijuca. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office without extra fees. The box office is open Tuesday to Sunday from 1 PM to 7 PM, and until 30 minutes after the show begins on performance days. The Artium Culture Institute and Atelier de Cultura are also offering free tickets to social entities and public school networks, along with half-price tickets (R$25.00) via the Cultural Voucher. Additional information is available at Wickedbrasil.com or on Instagram at Instagram.com/wickedbrasil. The official TikTok account, wickedbrasiloficial, presents service information about Wicked – The Musical and lists the following performance schedule at Cidade das Artes, Barra da Tijuca: Wednesday and Thursday at 8 PM, Friday at 8 PM, Saturday at 3 PM and 7:30 PM, and Sunday at 2 PM. All ages are welcome at the Sunday 6:30 PM show; however, children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The show runs approximately three hours, including one intermission.
The Rouanet Law, named after Sergio Paulo Rouanet, allows companies and individuals to contribute to cultural projects without directly donating to the government. Sergio Paulo Rouanet created this law in 1991. Volkswagen Brazil, now in its 72nd year, is the country’s leading automaker, having produced over 26 million vehicles and exported more than 4 million. With four factories, Volkswagen Brazil produces vehicles such as the New Nivus and Saveiro. The company is investing R$16 billion in Brazil by 2028 to introduce new models like the New T-Cross and Amarok, with a focus on sustainability, connectivity, and digital technology.
Volkswagen Boosts Brazilian Theater Accessibility with Artium Institute & Atelier de Cultura Collaboration
The Artium Institute and Atelier of Culture are known for their high-quality, internationally-standard live entertainment productions in Brazil. Since 2013, they have brought productions such as Wicked, Man of La Mancha, Annie, Billy Elliot, School of Rock, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to Brazilian audiences. In 2022, they produced Evita Open Air, which featured the largest outdoor musical theater structure ever seen in Brazil. Their recent co-productions include sold-out runs of Wicked at Teatro Santander (2023) and Teatro Renault (2025), as well as Rain, Blonde Illegally, and Shakespeare in Love at various theaters. By providing free tickets to social entities and schools, and offering affordable ticket options, the Artium Institute and Atelier de Cultura are committed to making theater accessible to a wider audience.