 According to Mazurskys autobiography, Judith Malina (qv) was  originally cast as the dictators mother. But there was a mixup,  Malina was unavailable, and the production only had the Rio opera  house available for three days. They tried in vain for  Zoe Caldwell (I) (qv), and considered a few Brazilian actresses.  Mazursky ended up playing the part himself, in drag.