For over two centuries, renowned artists from all over the world performed at the Teatro João Caetano. On their stage were, respectively, on June 25, 1885 and January 6, 1886, Eleonora Duse and Sarah Bernhard. Fernanda Montenegro, Paulo Autran, Bibi Ferreira, Fernanda Torres, Marco Nanini, Maria Bethânia, Gal Costa and several other Brazilian icons made popular seasons at João Caetano.
On January 10, 2009, the theater was reopened, with the musical Tom and Vinícius, after undergoing renovations. With resources from the State Secretariat of Culture, infrastructure works were carried out. In addition to making the building dismantling, the roof has been renovated and the stage has been restored.
Two panels by the painter Di Cavalcanti, the first modernist murals in Latin America, also received new lighting and returned to be prominent in the decoration of the room.
With 1,143 seats - including 16 for wheelchairs - João Caetano now offers more comfort and comfort for people with special needs.