Igor Stravinsky's L'Histoire du soldat (The Soldier's Tale)
May 3-5 at Access Theater, 8 PM
We are staging a new production of Igor Stravinsky's L'Histoire du soldat (or, The Soldier's Tale). Often performed as a concert suite for seven musicians, The Soldier's Tale was originally written "to be read, played, and danced." Our production will include reading, playing, dancing and more, as we present a new interpretation of C.F. Ramuz's libretto.
Though based on a Russian folk tale, our soldier, Joseph (Niall Powderly), is serving in the Iraq War. Through his story, we are exploring the difficulties soldiers face while readjusting to life at home: the disconnect, the isolation, the search for meaning, the physical toll on the body.
Throughout the show, Joseph struggles against a disguised Devil (William Vaughn), who threatens to derail his quest for inner peace. We see Joseph ache for a non-existent past while the present surges forward.
Our question for the ages: after war, what happens when you become the enemy?
It's Faust, but Not Really...
As a story that has been told and retold in various forms over centuries, it is important to give our production of The Soldier's Tale our own spin. Because our generation has seen a growing awareness of the effects of war, especially posttraumatic stress disorder, we want to bring that element to this work. For our debut performance, we are exploring an issue that remains largely unaddressed in the arts. 100 Proof isn't about making statements, but asking questions, the kind that sting a little in the back of your throat.
100 Proof Arts' Soldier's Tale goes up at Access Theater in New York City May 3-5 at 8 PM.
Though based on a Russian folk tale, our soldier, Joseph (Niall Powderly), is serving in the Iraq War. Through his story, we are exploring the difficulties soldiers face while readjusting to life at home: the disconnect, the isolation, the search for meaning, the physical toll on the body.
Throughout the show, Joseph struggles against a disguised Devil (William Vaughn), who threatens to derail his quest for inner peace. We see Joseph ache for a non-existent past while the present surges forward.
Our question for the ages: after war, what happens when you become the enemy?
It's Faust, but Not Really...
As a story that has been told and retold in various forms over centuries, it is important to give our production of The Soldier's Tale our own spin. Because our generation has seen a growing awareness of the effects of war, especially posttraumatic stress disorder, we want to bring that element to this work. For our debut performance, we are exploring an issue that remains largely unaddressed in the arts. 100 Proof isn't about making statements, but asking questions, the kind that sting a little in the back of your throat.
100 Proof Arts' Soldier's Tale goes up at Access Theater in New York City May 3-5 at 8 PM.