Event

Amadeus

Amadeus is an award-winning drama by English playwright Peter Shaffer that explores the lives and relationship of two fascinating characters in the world of music: Antonio Salieri, court composer to the Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the versatile and prolific musical genius who composed hundreds of works during his short life (1756-1791).
As one might expect, the play makes significant use of the music of Mozart, Salieri and other composers of the period. The premieres of Mozart's operas The Abduction from the Seraglio, The Marriage of Figaro and The Magic Flute are each the setting for key scenes of the play.
Amadeus was first staged at the Royal National Theatre in London in 1979, and appeared on Broadway in 1980, running for 1181 performances and receiving five Tony awards. In 1984 it was adapted into a highly acclaimed film, directed by Milos Forman, which was nominated for eleven Academy Awards (it won eight). Unusually, the two lead actors were both nominated for Best Actor: F. Murray Abraham as Salieri and Tom Hulce as Mozart.
Ferndale Rep's production is directed by visiting guest artist Karma Ibsen. Ms. Ibsen has directed professionally in the U.S. and Europe, with recent professional credits including "Rabbit Hole", "The Three Sisters", "Orpheus Descending" and "Roshoman", among others. She has appeared on stage and in film as a member of Actor's Equity. She has taught acting and directing at universities across the U.S., and is a professor emeritus of the University of Alabama.