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Event
Tidings Brought To Mary by Paul Claudel
Culture Connection Theater produces the classic yet modern passion play Tidings Brought to Mary. In this classic yet modern passion play, two sisters, one the embodiment of Christian charity, the other determined to open the heavens by force, face off on a Christmas eve in medieval France to deliver the message of exaltation for their land, their God and their family.
The play tells a sometimes dark but ultimately moving and uplifting story of a family in medieval France transformed by the mysterious, miraculous powers of sacrifice, forgiveness and love. The play is written by the lyric French playwright Paul Claudel in a translation by Wallace Fowlie, one of the most respected interpreters and translators of modern French literature best known for his translations of poet Arthur Rimbaud.
Director Elaine Molinaro seeks to combine a keen awareness of the sensuality of the play's central characters to honor the nobility of their earthly lives while celebrating their exalted spirituality. Through Claudel's melodic text as well as a strong focus on music, the production will contemplate Claudel's theme of the conflict between natural and supernatural forces and the cycle of death and rebirth. The show will include an eight member chorus accompanied by an organ who will sing such classic liturgical music as the Regina Caeli, the Salve Regina and the Ave Maria.
The play will run from Friday, November 8th through Sunday, November 17th, for six performances in the gothic style sanctuary of the Union Congregational Church on Cooper Avenue in Montclair, New Jersey. With its enormous stained glass windows, organ, choir lofts and mahogany wood finish, the church is an especially attractive venue for this medieval passion play by the well- respected French playwright.
Set designer Eric Harriz has designed the scaffolding of a Gothic cathedral to represent the cathedral being built in the script which will include a life size scroll to display the gorgeous locals of medieval France. Ticket prices are $20 for general admission. Evening performances begin at 7:30pm and Sunday matinees at 2pm.
The cast includes:
Angie Leavens-Smith as Violaine
Jacqueline Schreiber as Mara
John E. Rogers as Anne Vercors
Maggie Barbetta as Elizabeth Vercors
Phil Rafferty as Jacques Hury
Jonathan Green as Pierre de Craon
The choir includes: Bob Bockstiegel, Janet and Larry Frick, Roxanne Kent, Patrick Little, Karen Lundry and Rosemary and Elien Young.
Elaine Molinaro directs. Patrick Little serves as producer, Leyda Torres as stage manager, Jonathan Green as costume designer, Eric Harriz as set-designer, Janet Frick as sound designer, Rich Silivanch as graphic and media designer and Eric Olsen as music director and organist. The UCC Players serve as associate producer.
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LocationUnion Congregational Church sanctuary (View)
176 Cooper Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07043
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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