Soft Brain Theatre Company has announced the world premiere of their musical adaptation of Carlo Gozzi's The Raven, directed by CJ DiOrio, and devised in company. The production will be staged from June 2–12 at The Chain Theatre in NYC.
“The Raven takes a centuries-old commedia dell'arte play and breathes new life into the artform's rich traditions," says Soft Brain Co-Founding Artistic Director Nicole Tsarouhas. "Enhancing the play with music ranging from folk lullabies to glitzy vaudeville-inspired numbers, we've been able to inject some of our favorite contemporary theatrical conventions to make the piece feel more relevant to today's audience."
In The Raven, Prince Jennaro searches the world for a way to reverse a curse inflicted by an ogre after King Millo shoots a rare raven, all while thwarting the evil magic of the sorcerer Norando. Soft Brain's adaptation features a score by Owen O'Leary and Isaiah Spetz.
“All of our company members are trained in physical commedia which adds a heightened sense of play to The Raven," adds Soft Brain Co-Founding Artistic Director RJ Tabachnick. "After living through a global pandemic, our production is a reminder and an invitation for audiences to return to the untainted sense of wonder and joy that we all knew in childhood."
The Raven is directed by CJ DiOrio and features performers Nikki Amico, Lara García Landa, Megan Jeter, Joshua Kukafka, Owen O'Leary, Lila Perlman, Reed Pike, Isaiah Spetz, RJ Tabachnick, Nicole Tsarouhas, and Emma Yaniger.
Music direction by Isaiah Spetz, lead musical composition and arrangement by Owen O'Leary, dramaturgy by Emma Yaniger, scenic design by RJ Tabachnick and Isaiah Spetz, technical direction by Connor Gallerani, lighting design by Hailey Kragelj, costume design by Nicole Tsarouhas, and stage management by Megan Jeter.
For tickets, please visit BrownPaperTickets.com.
