Woman, scientist, zeus, two laundresses a note on the staging. Adapted, inspired, and propelled by ovids epic poem, metamorphoses, mary zimmerman reinterprets ancient myths and stories for a modern audience. A rippling, onstage pool conjures a magical world where gods and mortals coexist and universal tales of fate, lost love, greed and death are shared. Mary zimmermans play metamorphoses is based on ovids fifteenvolume work of transformation myths. Metamorphoses by mary zimmerman tlu dramatic media fall 2011 if found. Mary zimmerman is a director and playwright who adapts seemingly untheatrical source material from classic world literature into compelling theater.
Metamorphoses lookingglass theatre fourteen years ago lookingglass debuted metamorphoses, a play of such grace and beauty that the memory of it still lingers in the minds of audiences today. Positioned in and around a large pool on the stage, the characters enact zimmermans adaptations of ovids tales, juxtaposing the ancient and the contemporary in both language and image. Mary zimmerman has won the 2002 tony award for best direction of a play. Set in and around a large pool of water onstage, metamorphoses juxtaposes the ancient and the contemporary in both language and image to reflect the variety and persistence of narrative in the face of inevitable change. The criticallyacclaimed, recordbreaking chicago engagement led to a broadway production that garnered mary zimmerman the 2002 tony award for best director and catapulted lookingglass onto the. But as mary zimmerman managed to help these myths leap from page to stage in a visually stunning and accessible format, so metamorphoses has moved from the second stages proscenium setup to the audiencesurrounded circle in the square stage without losing anything in the process. From acclaimed playwright mary zimmerman of chicagos lookingglass theatre comes this dazzling adaptation of ovids classic myths.
Why do you think ovid decided to present this collection of myths as a linear narrative from the beginning of the world up to what was for him the present day. Mary zimmermans metamorphoses season 20 episode 022820. By writing the metamorphoses in dactylic hexameter, the meter of epic, ovid intentionally invited comparisons with the greatest roman poet of his age, virgil, who had written the epic the aeneid. Called by time the theater event of the year, mary zimmerman s metamorphoses brings ovids tales to stunning visual life. In fact, this theaters usually difficult to work with. Jun 24, 2015 metamorphoses, mary zimmermans 1998 theatrical updating of ovids 8 ad fifteenvolume poetic masterpiece based on greek myths, is, as the title indicates, all about changes. The volume includes the script, a production history, and photographs from several productions. Throughout this play, a reader will understand that the recognizable theme is change.
In 1998, mary zimmerman s stage adaptation metamorphoses premiered at the lookingglass theatre, and the following year there was an adaptation of tales from ovid by the royal shakespeare company. The criticallyacclaimed, recordbreaking chicago engagement led to a broadway production that garnered mary zimmerman the 2002 tony award for best director and. Upstage, there is a large painting of the sky, above which gods and goddesses might appear. Buy metamorphoses play by mary zimmerman, ovid from waterstones today. Positioned in and around a large pool on the stage, the characters enact zimmerman s adaptations of ovids tales, juxtaposing the ancient and the contemporary in both language and image. We talk to mary zimmerman, director and creator of metamorphoses, now completing a successful run in the fichlander at arena stage at the mead center for american theater. Based on the classical mythology by ovid and notably set in a pool of water a nod to the ancient maritime cultures, mary zimmermans metamorphoses earned her a. This line establishes one of the main themes of the poem, transformation, and links it to the gods. Ovid opens his poem by following the traditions of epic poetry. Metamorphoses and other plays directed by mary zimmerman. Mary zimmerman s play metamorphoses is based on ovids fifteenvolume work of transformation myths.
Proust himself told her, you know everything about me. Metamorphosesscript metamorphoses by mary zimmerman. Mary zimmermans tonyaward nominated play brings ovids classic tales to life through a mixture of contemporary and ancient styles, the use of musical accompaniment, and a shifting world of fabrics. Based on the classical mythology by ovid and notably set in a pool of water a nod to the ancient maritime cultures, mary zimmerman s metamorphoses earned her a 2002 tony award and a claim as. The tone of the drama likewise echoes the themes of change and contrast, from the humor of phaetons therapy. The poetry of ovid is mesmerizing, and david slavitts translation is a must read. Metamorphoses had its west coast premiere at the zellerbach playhouse 18. Metamorphoses by mary zimmerman tlu dramatic media fall 2011 if found, please return to. It goes through the cosmogony the birthcreation of the universe, the ages of man basically, the four eras through which mankind grows progressively suckier, the story of lycaon a nasty old king who tried to feed a disguised zeus human meat and was turned into a wolf as punishment, the flood zeus punishment to mankind for being lousy. Mary zimmermans metamorphoses as a splashy production is almost irresistibleits hard to think of a show in history thats doused its audience so enthusiasticallybut the pun does a disservice to a profoundly moving, nuanced piece of theater. It goes through the cosmogony the birthcreation of the universe, the ages of man basically, the four eras through which mankind grows progressively suckier, the story of lycaon a nasty old king who tried to feed a disguised zeus human meat and was turned into a wolf as punishment, the flood zeus punishment to mankind for being.
Zimmerman has developed a distinctive style that blends strong visual images, sensual movement, music, and poetry to. Mary zimmerman s tonyaward nominated play brings ovids classic tales to life through a mixture of contemporary and ancient styles, the use of musical accompaniment, and a shifting world of fabrics. He prepares to tell a continuous song from the worlds beginning to his present time. This production introduces the cwrucph mfa acting programs class. Ovid is the starting point, but zimmerman who both wrote the script and directed the. Metamorphoses displays a very vivid display concerning this theme. We also provide a windows executable that includes python. Jun 30, 2002 metamorphoses play by mary zimmerman, 9780810119802, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Some of the stories include king midas, orpheus and eurydice, and eros and psyche. In the early 21st century, the poem continues to inspire and.
Mary zimmermans metamorphoses cleveland play house. Now, tony awardwinner mary zimmerman brings celeste albarets story to life in a onewoman tourdeforce. Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. The play is based off of ovids metamorphoses, and features stories from greek mythology. Whether youre in the audience, in charge of the set, props, makeup, and costume design or on stage, the power of theatre is transformational. Metamorphoses by mary zimmerman flashcards quizlet. The criticallyacclaimed, recordbreaking chicago engagement led to a broadway production that garnered mary zimmerman the 2002 tony award for best. Oct 19, 2015 smith college department of theatre presents metamorphoses by mary zimmerman directed by hannah sachs 16 october 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 7. They worked very long and hard in rehearsals and the final product was amazing. A task might obligate you to constantly enhance the expertise as well as encounter. When the world was created it came from chaos, a raw and undivided mass, without living creatures of any kind. Lookingglass ensemble member mary zimmerman discusses her current production of the arabian nights, and the vital nature of storytelling. Metamorphoses by mary zimmerman 2010 pvpa production outdoors.
Mary zimmermans metamorphoses cleveland play house 216. Time lapse video of the load in of metamorphoses at the university of cincinnatis. The volume contains a production history, the play script, and, because the visual aspect of the play is important, photographs from some of its past productions. Aug 04, 2008 have a look at book 1 of ovids metamorphoses. The stage is entirely occupied by a square or rectangular pool of water, of varying depth, bordered on all four sides by a wooden deck approximately three feet wide, hanging above the pool is a large crystal chandelier. Is this the full version of the metamorphoses play by mary zimmerman. Metamorphoses and other plays directed by mary zimmerman by. The play premiered in 1996 as six myths at northwestern university and later the lookingglass theatre company in chicago. Metamorphoses is a play by the american playwright and director, mary zimmerman, adapted from the classic ovid poem, metamorphoses. Jun 30, 2002 the play is based off of ovids metamorphoses, and features stories from greek mythology. Metamorphoses creator mary zimmerman on the power of myths.
Zimmermans 75minute narrative drama, opening the princeton summer theater season at hamilton murray theater on the princeton university campus, range widely from the most. But to truly understand the inspiration of this work, see this play and read this script with your mind open. It transferred to broadway on 21 february 2002 at the circle in the. Latinists for some time have been taking ovid much more seriously than they had done, making his poetry a vehicle for new. Funny one moment, achingly sorrowful the next, metamorphoses somehow manages both to lift you out of the moment youre living in and speak to it with piercing directness. Zimmerman mixes them up, which matches the scripts lighthearted. It is released to the public domain, which means you can modify it, redistribute it or. Love, loss and mythic transformations in metamorphoses. A couple of scenes from our colleges production from the play metamorphoses by mary zimmerman. That said, you might be surprised by the wide range of transformations that happen in ovids book.
Called by time the theater event of the year, mary zimmermans metamorphoses brings ovids tales to stunning visual life. Mary zimmermans metamorphoses deborah garwood metamorphoses, a play written and directed by mary zimmerman, second stage theatre and circle in the square theatre, new york. Zimmerman has developed a distinctive style that blends strong visual images, sensual movement, music, and poetry to create a new theatrical vocabulary. Mar 01, 20 based on the classical mythology by ovid and notably set in a pool of water a nod to the ancient maritime cultures, mary zimmerman s metamorphoses earned her a 2002 tony award and a claim as. Wall street journal writerdirector mary zimmerman s lovely, deeply affecting work. Zimmermans 75minute narrative drama, opening the princeton summer theater season at hamilton murray theater on the princeton. You gods, who have yourselves wrought every change, inspire my enterprise. Presented at the offbroadway second stage some two and a half years after its premiere in chicago, metamorphoses is neither a musical nor a straight play nor a dance work. The play opened offbroadway in october 2001 at the second stage theatre. Metamorphoses play by mary zimmerman, 9780810119802, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. In 1998, mary zimmermans stage adaptation metamorphoses premiered at the lookingglass theatre, and the following year there was an adaptation of tales from ovid by the royal shakespeare company.
The play itself is amazingly written by mary zimmerman, and features lessons of love, dreams, fidelity, and faith among many things. I cannot remember a time when scholarly interest in a particular classical author was equaled, and maybe exceeded, by a popular enthusiasm measured in weeks on the bestseller lists, boffo box office, and tony awards. An exploration of change, rebirth, and the persistence of the human spirit, metamorphoses takes classic stories and makes them achingly relevant. Metamorphoses play by mary zimmerman, ovid waterstones. May 07, 2015 a couple of scenes from our colleges production from the play metamorphoses by mary zimmerman. In the early 21st century, the poem continues to inspire and be retold through books, 56 films 57 and plays. Using movement, song, and vivid dramatic and comedic storytelling, metamorphoses explores love, loss, power, and family in moving and profound ways.
Ovid states his aim for metamorphoses in the very first line. Metamorphoses and other plays directed by mary zimmerman, an album by willy schwarz on spotify we and our partners use cookies to personalize your experience, to show you ads based on your interests, and for measurement and analytics purposes. The visually stunning play by mary zimmerman is coming back to its bay area roots this month. Tony awardnominated for best play, metamorphoses overflows with gorgeous imagery and visionary theatricality. Mar 27, 2002 mary zimmerman has left so much of her play open for interpretation, and we certainly took that to heart. A play by mary zimmerman joseph farrell i cannot remember a time when scholarly interest in a particular classical author was equaled, and maybe exceeded, by a popular enthusiasm measured in weeks on the bestseller lists, boffo box office, and tony awards. Because of the mythic quality of the script, sometimes the players in the performance often resemble. Zimmerman shared her insights on the creation of the piece, the power of myths and how metamorphoses has touched audiences over the years. This production introduces the cwrucph mfa acting programs class of 2018. Ovid is most famous for the metamorphoses, a single poem of fifteen books, which was probably completed around a. Metamorphoses is a play by the american playwright and director mary zimmerman, adapted from the classic ovid poem metamorphoses. Check out metamorphoses and other plays directed by mary zimmerman by willy schwarz on amazon music. Width in pixels px height in pixels px copied to your clipboard unable to copy. Cosmogony used to explain the creation of the world, as well as give the audience a sense of the style and setting of the play.
Love, loss and mythic transformations in metamorphoses pst. The most obvious, of course, are the physical transformations, in which a living being or material object acquires a new form. Jeffrey brown talks to writer and director mary zimmerman about her play metamorphoses. He begins metamorphoses with an invocation to the gods, who have wrought every change. Slavitts translation of the metamorphoses of ovid and written by mary zimmerman, this stunning version of metamorphoses opened in march 2002 at broadways circle in the square theatre to critical acclaim. Based on the myths recorded by roman poet ovid 43 bc 17. It has been said that mary zimmerman, a playwright based in chicago, improvises rather than writes her plays. Bring on the tough stuff theres not just one right answer. Smith college department of theatre presents metamorphoses by mary zimmerman directed by hannah sachs 16 october 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 7. To describe mary zimmermans metamorphoses as a splashy production is almost irresistibleits hard to think of a show in history thats doused its audience so enthusiasticallybut the pun does a disservice to a profoundly moving, nuanced piece of theater. And so, wherever our love goes, there we find our soul. Metamorphosesscript metamorphoses by mary zimmerman tlu.
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