Two of the Apollinaire Theatre Companies actors in the production of ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle.’
As Apollinaire Theatre Company enters its 10th year, the company continues its tradition of presenting free bilingual productions alternating between English and Spanish performances in Chelsea’s Mary O’Malley Park. This season’s offering is Bertolt Brecht’s ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle,’ a parable exploring questions of justice and morality.
The narrative begins when a coup destabilizes the existing social order, thrusting the audience directly into the turmoil. Two central characters emerge: Grusha, a young kitchen maid who saves an abandoned infant after his royal mother leaves him behind, and Azdak, an inebriated scribe who unexpectedly becomes a high court judge. Their paths converge when Azdak must decide the child’s future. Drawing from an ancient Chinese folktale, Brecht employs the chalk circle as his instrument of justice, staging a tug of war between Grusha and the child’s aristocratic mother to determine rightful custody.
Boston composer David Reiffel has created an original score for this production. Reiffel is recognized locally for his work as sound designer and composer at venues such as New Repertory Theatre, Actors’ Shakespeare Project, and the Stoneham Theatre. His credits include six original musicals, more than a dozen musical adaptations, and incidental music for numerous theatrical productions, among them the 2012 Oregon Shakespeare Festival production of Romeo and Juliet.
For Reiffel, this project represents a return to his artistic beginnings. During his 9th grade year, he composed music for a traditional school production of this very play, marking the start of his theatrical composing work. He welcomes the opportunity to engage with the script anew through this contemporary, bilingual interpretation.
Following Apollinaire’s established practice, spectators will relocate to different areas of the park as the performance unfolds, mirroring the characters’ movements. Attendees are invited to bring blankets, beach chairs, and picnic provisions to enhance their experience while enjoying views of the Boston harbor.
‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’ runs free from July 10-27, Wednesday through Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday July 17 & 24, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays feature English performances.
Spanish performances take place Wednesday July 10 and Fridays.
The production utilizes multiple environmental staging locations throughout Mary O’Malley Park, Commandant’s Way, on the Chelsea Waterfront (Admiral’s Hill).
For information and directions, call www.apollinairetheatre.com or (617) 887-2336. In case of rain, call (617) 887-2336 to check status.
Cast Members:
Director: Danielle Fauteux Jacques
Composer/Music Director: David Reiffel
Set Design: Megan F. Kinneen
Costume Design: Susan Paino
Costumer: Phoebe Roberts
Properties Design: Melanie Hardy
Stage Managers: Emma Ewel, Erin Maureen Kearney
ASMs: Stephanie Flores, Nicole Hoffman
Intern: Lillian Schley
House Managers: Carol Bortman, Eli Bortman, Ida Rudolph
Cast:
Grusha (English): Courtland Jones
Azdak (English): Dev Luthra
Grusha (Spanish): Noelle Vinas
Azdak (Spanish): Victor Hugo Arellano
Singer & Governor’s Wife: Paola M. Ferrer
Governor: Tony Dangerfield
Lavrenti: H.R. Britton
Shauva: Joe A. Ogando
Adjutant: Kelly Chick
Aniko: Lauren Thomas
Farmer’s Wife: Liz Adams
Simon: Mauro Canepa
Mother: Melissa Nussbaum Freeman
Jessup: Mike Handelman