To live during the same period as Rita Lee , having witnessed or participated in some way in the career of this fascinating and rebellious woman, is a reason for celebration – even for people who, like me, never got to see her live before her retirement in 2013.
That is precisely the proposal of Beto Lee , the artist's eldest son, with the show CeLEEbration , which premiered at the Teatro Liberdade on the evening of last Wednesday, the 15th, in São Paulo, for the first of three performances in the city. "We are here celebrating the life and work of Dona Rita Lee Jones," the musician summarized to the audience, after commenting on how "Dona Rita" has "gotten up to a lot of mischief, but has also made history."
In the audience, which included friends like Luísa Mell and Guilherme Samora , there was no single stereotype: from self-proclaimed rock fans with piercings and long hair, to elderly couples the same age as Rita, and entire families with children and teenagers, all awaited the show.
It was this constant renewal of Rita Lee's audience and the vibrant power of the singer's hits even today that encouraged Beto to orchestrate this show. For the mission, an exceptional team, very familiar with the repertoire, was assembled, designed to take the audience on a journey celebrating 50 years of artistic legacy from our Queen of Rock: Lee Marcucci (bass), Danilo Santana (keyboards), Edu Salvitti (drums), Débora Reis (vocals), and Rogerio Salmeron (guitar), musicians skilled in the school of Rita and Roberto de Carvalho over the years.
Under the firm leadership of Beto Lee, acting as a humorous and charismatic narrator-character, certainly part of his DNA, with jokes about how " Mick Jagger caught COVID, but COVID didn't have the courage to catch Keith Richards ," the band showcases the power of the artist's repertoire, from her time with Os Mutantes to her successful solo career.
With the energy of a restless tomboy and a strong, yet playful and swinging voice, Débora Reis moves all over the stage, singing each song with familiarity and devotion. A backing vocalist for Rita Lee for over a decade, the singer never tries to finish every phrase with the same intention as Rita, and therein lies the magic that seals CeLEEbration as this celebration of appreciation. This is not a cover band, and the show is not a tribute.
Even with the audience's shyness for much of the show, with the arms and shouts of "Long live Rita Lee!" from the bolder fans standing out in the sea of dancing heads in the spacious theater, the band gradually built a rapport with the audience, whether through Beto's speeches, Débora's passionate theatricality, or the skill of the other musicians, and everyone finally stood up to sing "Lança Perfume" and "Orra Meu," the show's final tracks.
As it should be at a rock concert, with stellar musicians framed by bright lights, everything sounds fresh, vibrant, colorful, and irresistible, proving how timeless songs like "Roque Enrow," "Mania de Você," and "Coisas da Vida" are in the minds and hearts of those who have discovered the wonders of Rita Lee.
SERVICE – ceLEEbration: Beto plays Rita
Date: June 15, 22 and 29, 2022
Time: 9:00 PM
Duration: 80 min
Genre: Show
Rating: 12 years old
Address: Rua São Joaquim nº129 – Liberdade – São Paulo
Venue: Teatro Liberdade
Doors open: 1 hour before the event starts
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