World Premiere of "Persephone" From Huntington

A statue with an internal life, a rat who loves culture, a sculptor, his muse, and a host of violent criminals and their victims inhabit the surreal world of Noah Haidle's “Persephone,” receiving its world premiere at the Huntington Theatre Company. The production will be directed by Artistic Director Nicholas Martin. “Persephone” runs March 30 - May 6 at the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center For The Arts.

In this tale spanning five centuries, a statue of the Greek harvest goddess Demeter narrates the story of her life, from creation in a 16th-century Italian studio to her current-day predicament in a New York City park as “an eternal witness to the world without any power to look away.”

According to Greek myth, Demeter’s daughter Persephone was abducted and brought to the underworld by its god, Hades. In her despair, Demeter refused to allow Spring to bloom until Persephone was returned.

A dark comedy, “Persephone” is the latest work by 27-year-old playwright Noah Haidle, hailed for inventive his story-telling abilities. The Roundabout Theatre Company produced his first play, “Mr. Marmalade,” in 2005. His acclaimed “Vigils” premiered at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre in Late 2006 and “Princess Marjorie” received its world premiere engagement several months before at South Coast Repertory. Haidle’s “Rag and Bone” played at the Long Wharf Theatre in 2005 as part of the new American Voices Festival. He recently has worked on play commissions from Playwrights Horizons and Princeton University, and a screenplay for Scott Rudin Productions.

Nicholas Martin commented, “Noah is one of my favorite young playwrights. His voice is completely original, and his work has a balance of gravity and humor unparalleled since the plays of Chris Durang and John Guare.”

“Persephone” had its first reading at the Huntington’s April 2006 “Breaking Ground Festival of New Plays.” Martin says it was such a hit he wanted to program it as part of the Huntington’s 25th Anniversary season and direct it himself.

Not unlike the critically acclaimed and award-winning production of “Betty’s Summer Vacation,” “Persephone” is likely to be controversial. The play includes adult situations and depictions of graphic violence amidst a funny and hopeful story about how humans to create beauty from chaos.

The artistic challenges in “Persephone” are clear as well, Martin says. Haidle’s script demands extraordinary physical effects and lightning-fast character changes for a small ensemble of actors. Martin has assembled a first-rate team of actors and designers to figure out, for example, how an actress playing a statue can stay completely still yet speak freely for an entire two-act play.

Act One of “Persephone” takes place in 1507, during the Italian Renaissance, in the Venetian studio of rising young sculptor Giuseppe. There, he works on a commissioned piece from Alfonso, whose daughter has died and who wants a statue of Demeter to stand at her gravesite. Giuseppe has run into an artistic block while sculpting Demeter and frets about how best to realize the longing in her body. Giuseppe’s worldly-wise model Celia praises Giuseppe while seducing him into her world of ribald hedonism.

Demeter oversees, comments on, and narrates all of the action in the play. In act one she hates Celia, loves Giuseppe and befriends a culture-loving atelier mouse--the only character she can converse with. (Her thoughts and desires are unheard by the humans in the play.)

Act Two takes place in a city park in 2007 where Demeter finds herself wearing away from acid rain and abuse, and the target of well-aimed pigeon droppings. She’s unable to avert her gaze from the hookers, rapists, drug dealers, and bad cops who inhabit her corner of the park, even in the dead of winter. A bright spot in this otherwise bleak existence is Miss Certainty, who visits and cleans the statue every day.

Demeter’s only communication is with a street-smart rat who, like his rodent counterpart 500 years before, revels in the culture of the city, this time regaling Demeter with stories of well-kept statues in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As the lives of those around her fall apart, will Demeter ever find happiness?

The Cast
Marilyn Dodds Frank (Demeter) is a successful theatre and screen actress whose stage work has focused largely in Chicago, with leading roles in productions at the Steppenwolf, Lookingglass and Goodman Theatres. She has had roles in numerous hit films including “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Anchorman.”

Seth Fisher (Giuseppe, et al) was seen in the Huntington’s 2006 production of “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” and appeared on Broadway in 2005’s “Julius Caesar.” Other credits include “Big Wyoming” (New York Stage & Film) and “Hamlet” (Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre). Fisher co-wrote and starred in the film “The Wine Bar.”

Jeremiah Kissel (Alphonso, et al) is a Boston favorite who has appeared in Huntington productions of “The Cherry Orchard,” “The Sisters Rosensweig,” “Sonia Flew” and “Betty's Summer Vacation,” all directed by Nicholas Martin. A 25-year veteran of Boston theatre, he received an Elliot Norton Award for Sustained Excellence in 2003.

Mimi Lieber (Celia et al) is a Huntington favorite, having last starred as Pfeni in the 2006 production of “The Sisters Rosensweig” directed by Nicholas Martin. She also hosted the Spotlight Spectacular! gala that year. She appeared on Broadway in the 2005 production of “Brooklyn Boy” and the 2002 revival of “I’m Not Rappaport.”

Related Events:
March 30 – College Night @ “Persephone”
The best college deal in town! See Persephone and come to a post-show party at the Calderwood Pavilion for just $15! Food, beverages, and a backstage peek at the production. All ages welcome; must be 21+ to drink. Tickets available online only at www.huntingtontheatre.org. Use code 1082 at login.

April 10 — Emerging Playwright's Forum
Meet “Persephone” author and in-demand playwright Noah Haidle, as he discusses the play, his career and working across the country, 6:30 p.m. at the theatre. Free with ticket purchase.

April 18 — Out And About Club
Members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities mingle with staff, artists and each other before the 7:30 p.m. show. Pre-show reception at 6 p.m. Free with ticket purchase.

April 19 — Actors Forum
Participating members of the cast appear after the 7:30 p.m. performance to answer audience questions. Free with ticket purchase.

April 22 — Humanities Forum
A lively discussion about the issues and ideas presented in the production. After the 2 p.m. show. Free with ticket purchase.

May 2 — Actors Forum
Participating members of the cast appear after the 2 p.m. performance to answer audience questions. Free with ticket purchase.

For tickets and information, stop by the box office, call 617-266-0800 or visit www.huntingtontheatre.org.

-- OnStage Boston

			World Premiere of "Persephone" From Huntington March 30 - May 6 Nicholas Martin Directs A statue with an internal life, a rat who loves culture, a sculptor, his muse, and a host of violent criminals and their victims inhabit the surreal world of Noah Haidle's “Persephone,” receiving its world premiere at the Huntington Theatre Company. The production will be directed by Artistic Director Nicholas Martin. “Persephone” runs March 30 - May 6 at the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center For The Arts. In this tale spanning five centuries, a statue of the Greek harvest goddess Demeter narrates the story of her life, from creation in a 16th-century Italian studio to her current-day predicament in a New York City park as “an eternal witness to the world without any power to look away.” According to Greek myth, Demeter’s daughter Persephone was abducted and brought to the underworld by its god, Hades. In her despair, Demeter refused to allow Spring to bloom until Persephone was returned. A dark comedy, “Persephone” is the latest work by 27-year-old playwright Noah Haidle, hailed for inventive his story-telling abilities. The Roundabout Theatre Company produced his first play, “Mr. Marmalade,” in 2005. His acclaimed “Vigils” premiered at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre in Late 2006 and “Princess Marjorie” received its world premiere engagement several months before at South Coast Repertory. Haidle’s “Rag and Bone” played at the Long Wharf Theatre in 2005 as part of the new American Voices Festival. He recently has worked on play commissions from Playwrights Horizons and Princeton University, and a screenplay for Scott Rudin Productions. Nicholas Martin commented, “Noah is one of my favorite young playwrights. His voice is completely original, and his work has a balance of gravity and humor unparalleled since the plays of Chris Durang and John Guare.” “Persephone” had its first reading at the Huntington’s April 2006 “Breaking Ground Festival of New Plays.” Martin says it was such a hit he wanted to program it as part of the Huntington’s 25th Anniversary season and direct it himself. Not unlike the critically acclaimed and award-winning production of “Betty’s Summer Vacation,” “Persephone” is likely to be controversial. The play includes adult situations and depictions of graphic violence amidst a funny and hopeful story about how humans to create beauty from chaos. The artistic challenges in “Persephone” are clear as well, Martin says. Haidle’s script demands extraordinary physical effects and lightning-fast character changes for a small ensemble of actors. Martin has assembled a first-rate team of actors and designers to figure out, for example, how an actress playing a statue can stay completely still yet speak freely for an entire two-act play. Act One of “Persephone” takes place in 1507, during the Italian Renaissance, in the Venetian studio of rising young sculptor Giuseppe. There, he works on a commissioned piece from Alfonso, whose daughter has died and who wants a statue of Demeter to stand at her gravesite. Giuseppe has run into an artistic block while sculpting Demeter and frets about how best to realize the longing in her body. Giuseppe’s worldly-wise model Celia praises Giuseppe while seducing him into her world of ribald hedonism. Demeter oversees, comments on, and narrates all of the action in the play. In act one she hates Celia, loves Giuseppe and befriends a culture-loving atelier mouse--the only character she can converse with. (Her thoughts and desires are unheard by the humans in the play.) Act Two takes place in a city park in 2007 where Demeter finds herself wearing away from acid rain and abuse, and the target of well-aimed pigeon droppings. She’s unable to avert her gaze from the hookers, rapists, drug dealers, and bad cops who inhabit her corner of the park, even in the dead of winter. A bright spot in this otherwise bleak existence is Miss Certainty, who visits and cleans the statue every day. Demeter’s only communication is with a street-smart rat who, like his rodent counterpart 500 years before, revels in the culture of the city, this time regaling Demeter with stories of well-kept statues in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As the lives of those around her fall apart, will Demeter ever find happiness? The Cast Marilyn Dodds Frank (Demeter) is a successful theatre and screen actress whose stage work has focused largely in Chicago, with leading roles in productions at the Steppenwolf, Lookingglass and Goodman Theatres. She has had roles in numerous hit films including “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Anchorman.” Seth Fisher (Giuseppe, et al) was seen in the Huntington’s 2006 production of “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” and appeared on Broadway in 2005’s “Julius Caesar.” Other credits include “Big Wyoming” (New York Stage & Film) and “Hamlet” (Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre). Fisher co-wrote and starred in the film “The Wine Bar.” Jeremiah Kissel (Alphonso, et al) is a Boston favorite who has appeared in Huntington productions of “The Cherry Orchard,” “The Sisters Rosensweig,” “Sonia Flew” and “Betty's Summer Vacation,” all directed by Nicholas Martin. A 25-year veteran of Boston theatre, he received an Elliot Norton Award for Sustained Excellence in 2003. Mimi Lieber (Celia et al) is a Huntington favorite, having last starred as Pfeni in the 2006 production of “The Sisters Rosensweig” directed by Nicholas Martin. She also hosted the Spotlight Spectacular! gala that year. She appeared on Broadway in the 2005 production of “Brooklyn Boy” and the 2002 revival of “I’m Not Rappaport.” Related Events: March 30 – College Night @ “Persephone” The best college deal in town! See Persephone and come to a post-show party at the Calderwood Pavilion for just $15! Food, beverages, and a backstage peek at the production. All ages welcome; must be 21+ to drink. Tickets available online only at www.huntingtontheatre.org. Use code 1082 at login. April 10 — Emerging Playwright's Forum Meet “Persephone” author and in-demand playwright Noah Haidle, as he discusses the play, his career and working across the country, 6:30 p.m. at the theatre. Free with ticket purchase. April 18 — Out And About Club Members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities mingle with staff, artists and each other before the 7:30 p.m. show. Pre-show reception at 6 p.m. Free with ticket purchase. April 19 — Actors Forum Participating members of the cast appear after the 7:30 p.m. performance to answer audience questions. Free with ticket purchase. April 22 — Humanities Forum A lively discussion about the issues and ideas presented in the production. After the 2 p.m. show. Free with ticket purchase. May 2 — Actors Forum Participating members of the cast appear after the 2 p.m. performance to answer audience questions. Free with ticket purchase. For tickets and information, stop by the box office, call 617-266-0800 or visit www.huntingtontheatre.org. -- OnStage Boston 03/18/07

		To receive an email Update when new pages are posted at OnStage Boston, click here.
		HOME • NEWS • LINKS • ARCHIVE • CONTACT
		© 2002-2004 RJD Associates. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this site may be reprinted or reproduced without prior written permission.