Franco Fontana, the Italian impresario who created OBA OBA, first visited Brazil two decades ago, immediately falling in love with the country, its wonderful people and rich culture. He began presenting a series of concerts in Europe with the finest Brazilian artists such as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Baden Powell, Vinicius de Moraes, Caetano Veloso, Gal Costa, Gilberto Gil, Chico Buarque, Elis Regina, Maria Bethania, Roberto Carlos, Jorge Ben and many others. But he harboured the dream of one day creating an entire show filled with the magic, colour and beauty which he found in Brazil. In 1984 he finally realized his dream producing in Rome for the first time OBA OBA, a spectacular stage show that celebrates the culture of Brazil. Since then the show has been touring Europe, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand becoming a great international hit. Every year Fontana returns to Brazil and holds nation-wide auditions to find fresh, new and exciting talent to bring into the show.
Fontana began his career over 30 years ago in Italy, working with such performers as Anna Magnani and Vittorio Gassman and directors Franco Zeffirelli and Mauro Bolognini among many others. During the 1970s he presented great international attractions at Rome's Theatre Sistina including Joan Baez, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Nina Simone, Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Count Basie, Stan Getz, Charlie Mingus, Thelonius Monk, Charles Aznavour, Gilbert Becaud, Juliette Greco, Miriam Makeba, Mikis Theodorakis, Amalia Rodrigues, Ravi Shankar, Gato Barbieri and many others.

B

razil is a land rich in exceptional talents and

an extraordinary popular culture. In the 1970’s I became fascinated with and began to promote in Europe the great composers and interpreters of the popular music of this marvelous country.

My continuous trips to Bahia, Rio and S. Paulo permitted me to deepen my knowledge of their cultural heritage and thus come up with the idea to create a musical entirely dedicated to Brazil.

Oba Oba '84 was the first experiment: the show was performed at the “Teatro Sistina” in Rome and then in many other Italian and European cities. The success was immediate and convinced me that the spectacular Brazilian culture was the most suitable one around which to create a great international musical without borders. In fact, in 1987, an invitation to Las Vegas for 8 weeks was extended to 45 weeks. From success to success, the show was performed in the main theatres of the biggest American cities from Chicago to Los Angeles, from San Francisco to Miami to Atlantic City.

The high professional level of American theatre helped me to improve the quality and dimension of Oba Oba, allowing it to grow into a great musical, worthy of 3 Broadway runs.

Oba Oba will continue on it’s way offering culture and entertainment everywhere.

This show is my tribute to the Brazilian people's energy, beauty, sensuality and joy of life.