By Christina Fernández-Morrow, Hola Iowa
At just 26, Mateus Leite Cardoso is bringing Brazilian swagger to American musical theater as “François” in the national tour of “& Juliet,” performing at the Des Moines Civic Center May 6-11. For this son of Brazilian immigrants, the journey from singing at large family gatherings to belting beloved lyrics on Broadway stages represents family support and a constant nod to his South American roots.
Cardoso has vivid memories of playing piano while his dad strummed the guitar, and his mother joined in with vocals. “We would have big Brazilian family parties with people coming over and playing songs together and singing,” recalls the actor. “I played piano and guitar and took voice lessons.”
These childhood experiences filled with Brazilian rhythms not only shaped his musical identity but also gave him a distinctive edge in an industry where Latino performers remain underrepresented. The first time he auditioned for a local musical he landed the leading role. He committed himself to musical theater, eventually studying the craft at Baldwin Wallace University, and hasn’t looked back.
Playing “François” in “& Juliet”, the demisexual panromantic fiancé of the main character, has been Cardoso’s most challenging role. The play, a musical comedy that imagines Juliet getting a second chance at love after deciding not to die for Romeo, is the first time Cardoso has been on a national tour. He has a hectic schedule that has required some adjustment. “We don’t really get days off and doing this show eight days a week has been challenging, but also rewarding,” states Cardoso.
Despite the long hours rehearsing, traveling, and performing, Cardoso finds time to play his guitar, even using it during a recent audition. “Being a musician first has really helped me in the theater world,” he shares. His musical background coupled with his Latinidad were key to kickstarting his career even before he made it to Broadway. “The dean of the university even wrote ‘the rhythms of Brazil have molded you into a beautiful musician,’ which was funny because that was what my college essay was about,” recalls Cardoso. His college entrance essay centered on his childhood, bathed in Bossa Nova and Samba, sounds he still calls on to stand out in auditions and showcases.
As the son of immigrants, Cardoso knows he is fortunate that his family has supported his career in performing arts. “A lot of Latino parents don’t feel comfortable supporting their kids doing something like this because they risked so much to come to this country,” he reflects. “This career can be very turbulent and volatile and may not bring you success.” His advice to anyone who wants to pursue performing arts is to prepare and never give up. He credits his drive to his family’s journey from Brazil to Florida and cites his grandfather watching him perform on Broadway as one of his proudest moments. “Seeing him in the audience, thinking about all he risked getting to that moment, resulted in seeing his grandson on stage on Broadway,” he says, emotion evident in his voice.
Although his career is just getting started, Cardoso has big dreams. While he loves live performances, he has his sights set of film and television. “That path is a little less direct than theater,” he shares. However, with the energy he exudes and the experience he’s gaining in theater, it’s only a matter of time before Cardoso finds himself in front of the cameras.
You can see Cardoso perform in “& Juliet” at the Des Moines Civic Center May 6-11. For tickets, go to DMPA.org or call 515-246-2300. You can also visit the Civic Center Ticket Office at 221 Walnut St. in Des Moines.
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