Welcome to The Life we Dream
an intergalactic rendering of
Giacomo Puccini’s dark Love Triangle Il Tabarro
performed in tandem with
Puccini’s soulful string chamber work – Crisantemi
A co-production of Teatro Mistral and Little Boxes Theater!!
Synopsis:
(Crisantemi)
The dying water planet of Lissia is inhabited by two distinct types of humanoid aliens (Lissians and Fisher-inz)
The Fisher-inz of the red – eyes, fly above the planet searching deep into the waters for shimmer swimmers or the highly prized natural fuel cells needed to run the barges and planetary cargo ships carrying goods from one location, moon or planet to another.
(Il Tabarro)
Michele, a Lissian barge owner & captain is moored near the sinking wetlands of Paris, Lissia. Michele appears to be smoking a long pipe staring off into the stars. His wife Giorgetta notices that the pipe has gone out and asks him why he is silent She displays her irritation towards her husband and her eagerness to have fun with his employees, and asks if, at the end of their exhausting workday she might serve everyone wine. She goes to the barge, brings out a pitcher and pours for the workers (“Eccola la passata!”). with special attention to the handsome Luigi, who has her dancing to the sound of an accordion. Michele tells his wife that the three men will stay in Paris when the barge leaves. Giorgetta is upset at having to leave Luigi behind, whereas he laments the mediocrity of his life as a worker (“Hai ben ragione; meglio non pensare”). She would like to stay on land and go back to Belleville, the planet’s moon where she was born, as was Luigi (“E ben altro il mio sogno!”). Now alone, Giorgetta and Luigi evoke their last night as lovers (“E la gioia rapita”). When Michele interrupts them, they make a date for later. Michele suspects that his wife is betraying him. He begs her once again to love him, citing their past happiness with their child, who has since died. But Giorgetta stands firm, abandoning Michele to doubt and despair (“Scorri, fiume eterno!”). Seeing him strike a match at night, Luigi believes it is the signal he agreed to with his mistress. Michele seizes him, gets him to admit he loves Giorgetta, and ends up strangling him. He then hides the body in his enormous greatcoat. When his wife returns to the deck of the barge and asks him to warm her up, he opens his greatcoat, allowing Luigi’s body to fall out. Giorgetta is horrified, sees the face of her lover and falls at his side.
Crisantemi and Il Tabarro will be performed as a single performance, straight-through with no interruption.
No supertitles will be used as we believe the music, the singing and the production are enough to tell this story.
Crisantemi aerialists:
Anna Yanushkevich
Aaron Simunovich
Mackenzie Milque
Directed and choreographed by: Anna Yanushkevich
Cast for Il Tabarro:
Tristan Robben – Michele
Jonathan Hodel – Luigi
Vismaya Lhi – Georgetta
Julia Bae – Frugola
Arie Perry – The music seller
Jeff Jones – Talpa
Lucas Cecil – Tinca
Nicole Lopez-Hagen – Midinette, Soprano Lover (Music seller and Tinca cover)
Adeliz Araiza – Midinette, soprano lover
Paige Tagliafico – Midinette (Frugola cover)
Accordionist: Mackenzi Milque
Puppeteer: Anna Yanushkevish
Stage Director: Vismaya Lhi
Conductor: Paul Schrage
Teatro Mistral Chamber Orchestra:
Violin 1 – Hrabba Atladottir, Rebecca Wishnia
Violin 2 – Baker Peeples
Viola – Keith Lawrence
Cello – Shain Carrasco
Bass – James Schulz
Flute – Michelle Sung, Tori Hauk
Oboe – Emily Kupitz, Bennett Lopez
Clarinet – Nick Di Scala, Clayton Luckadoo
Bassoon – Iain Forgey
Horn – Wayne Van Lieu
Crew:
Set Design: Aaron Simunovich, Kitty Me-OW, Anna Yanushkevich, Laura N and Vismaya Lhi
Lighting Design: Aaron Simunovich
Projections: Jacob Vorperian
Costumes: Kitty Me-OW, Vismaya Lhi, aerialists – Anna Yanushkevich
Make-up: Kitty Me-OW, aerialists – Anna Yanushkevich
Puppet creator: Anna Yanushkevish