New productions promise to raise the temperature in Rio de Janeiro's Summer ´98 Season. Here are the shows scheduled to open during the month of January:

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Gata em Teto de Zinco Quente): By Tennessee Williams. Directed by Moacyr Goes. Starring Vera Fisher, Italo Rossi, Floriano Peixoto and Ivone Hofman. Opens Jan. 9. Villa Lobos Theatre (021) 275 6695.

Twelfth Night (Noite de Reis): By William Shakespeare. Directed by Amir Haddad. Starring Renata Sorrah, Claudia Abreu and Pedro Cardoso. Opens Jan. 15. Carlos Gomes Theatre (021) 242 7091.

Ghosts (Fantasmas): By Henrik Johan Ibsen. Directed by Nildo Pereira. Starring Thais Portinho and Leonardo Netto. Opens Jan. 16. Posto Seis Theatre (021) 287 7496.

Brazil Limited Company (Brasil S.A.): By Antonio Ermirio de Moraes. Directed by Marcos Caruso. Starring Rogerio Froes and Lucinha Lins. Opens Jan. 16. Adolpho Bloch Theatre (021) 556 3161. The Brazilians, a Hopeful Profession (Brasileiro Profissao Esperanca): By Paulo Pontes. Directed by Bibi Ferreira. Music by Dolores Duran and Antonio Maria. Starring Bibi Ferreira and Gracindo Junior. Opens Jan. 9. Thereza Raquel Theatre (021) 235 1113.

A Case of Life or Death (Um Caso de Vida ou Morte): By Beth Faria. Directed by Flavio Marinho, Gilberto Gawronski and Marcus Alvisi. Starring Beth Faria. Quatro Theatre (021) 274 9895.

God (Deus): By Woody Allen. Adapted and directed by Mauro Mendonca Filho. Starring Murilo Benicio, Amir Haddad and Cristina Ache. Opens Jan. 16. Bank of Brazil Cultural Center Theatre I (021) 216 0626.

The Judge and His Hangman (O Julgamento): By Friedrich Durrenmatt. Directed by Daniel Herz and Suzanna Kruger. Starring Laura Theatre Company. Opens Jan. 8. Laura Alvim Cultural House (021) 247 6946.

Hamlet: By Willliam Shakespeare. Directed by Ivan Albuquerque and Rubens Fonseca. Starring Lucio Mauro Filho. Opens Jan. 23. Ipanema Theatre (021) 247 9794.

Auto da Compadecida, The Drama: By Ariano Suassuna. Directed by Antonio Abujamra and Joao Fonseca. Starring Guta Stresser. Opens Jan. 16. Dulcina Theatre (021) 240 4879.

The Untidiness of Your Heart (Na Bagunca do Teu Coracao): Written and directed by Bibi Ferreira. Music by Chico Buarque de Hollanda. Starring Claudio Botelho and Claudia Netto. Opens Jan. 16. Joao Caetano Theatre (021) 221 0305.

Neckline (Decote): By Nelson Rodrigues. Directed by Daniel Herz and Suzanna Krugger. Starring Laura Theatre Company. Opens Jan. 15. Laura Alvim Cultural House (021) 247 6946.

-- By Nertutila Achao

Brazil Correspondent