Love and loss, beauty and horror, creation and destruction: all converge in Manual Cinema’s breathtaking interpretation of the classic Gothic narrative.
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Contact: Helen Pinch, Performance Santa Fe Phone: (505) 984 8759 Email: hpinch@performancesantafe.org Promotional Photos |
Santa Fe, NM, August 29, 2023— In their fresh take on a timeless novel, Chicago-based performance art collective Manual Cinema transcends the barriers of conventional theater. By ingeniously fusing shadow puppetry, innovative cinematic techniques, evocative sound effects, and a haunting live musical score, the company breathes new life into Mary Shelley’s enduring tale of Frankenstein and his creation. This rendition does not just stop at retelling the famed story – it dives deeper, exploring the life of its author, Mary Shelley, drawing poignant parallels between her experiences and the themes in her novel.
This reimagining delves into the profound implications of creation, investigating the complexities of identity and probing into how family, community, and education can either mold one’s personhood or, tragically, lead to its unraveling. Manual Cinema’s Frankenstein does not just tell a tale but initiates a compelling discourse on human nature, societal expectations, and the consequences of isolation.
“We are so excited to welcome Manual Cinema for its New Mexico debut performance. This innovative collective electrifies Mary Shelley’s magnum opus for today’s audience,” says Amy Iwano, Executive + Artistic Director of Performance Santa Fe. “In the hands of these adept creators, Frankenstein becomes more than the story we know and love; it’s an extraordinary journey that captivates and challenges the mind, the heart, and the imagination.”
Manual Cinema’s Frankenstein presented through the support of Jan and Tom Collett
23–24 Season Sponsors: Ann Murphy Daily and William W. Daily, Gina Browning and Joe Illick, Robin Black, Leah Gordon
Event Details
Manual Cinema’s Frankenstein. The Chicago-based performance art collective stitches together shadow puppetry, cinematic techniques, sound effects, and live music to tell the tale of Frankenstein. Presented by Performance Santa Fe at the Lensic Performing Arts Center, 211 W San Francisco St, Santa Fe, NM 87501. September 26, 7:30 pm. Tickets: $35–115. (505) 984 8759. PerformanceSantaFe.org
$20 Rush tickets available day of the performance, based on availability.
Student/educator and family discounts available
Visit https://performancesantafe.org/box-office-information/ for more information.
About the Program
CREDITS
A Manual Cinema Production
Adapted from the novel by Mary Shelley
Concept and Direction by Drew Dir
Devised by Drew Dir, Sarah Fornace, and Julia Miller
Original Music by Ben Kauffman and Kyle Vegter
Storyboards by Drew Dir
Music and Sound Design by Ben Kauffman and Kyle Vegter
Shadow Puppet Design by Drew Dir with Lizi Breit
Projections and Scenic Design by Rasean Davonte Johnson
Costume and Wig Design by Mieka van der Ploeg
Lighting Design by Claire Chrzan
3D Creature Puppet Design by Lizi Breit
Prop Design by Lara Musard
Stage Manager, Video Mixing and Live Sound Effects: Kyle Vegter
Lighting Technician: David Goodman-Edberg
CAST
Puppeteers
Sarah Fornace (Victor Frankenstein, Mary Shelley)
Julia Miller (The Creature, Elizabeth Frankenstein)
Jyreika Guest (Percy Shelley, Vocals)
Sara Sawicki (Lord Byron)
Myra Su (Puppeteer)
Musicians
Peter Ferry (percussion)
Jason Gresl (clarinets and aux percussion)
Lia Kohl (cello, aux percussion, vocals)
Emma Hospelhorn (flutes, aux percussion, piano)
About Manual Cinema
Manual Cinema is an Emmy Award winning performance collective, design studio, and film/video production company founded in 2010 by Drew Dir, Sarah Fornace, Ben Kauffman, Julia Miller, and Kyle Vegter. Manual Cinema combines handmade shadow puppetry, cinematic techniques, and innovative sound and music to create immersive stories for stage and screen.
Using vintage overhead projectors, multiple screens, puppets, actors, live feed cameras, multi-channel sound design, and a live music ensemble, Manual Cinema transforms the experience of attending the cinema and imbues it with liveness, ingenuity, and theatricality. The company was awarded an Emmy in 2017 for “The Forger,” a video created for The New York Times and named Chicago Artists of the Year in 2018 by the Chicago Tribune. Their shadow puppet animations are featured in the film remake of Candyman, directed by Nia DaCosta and produced by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions. Recent productions include Leonardo! A Wonderful Show about a Terrible Monster, based on books by Mo Willems, and an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
About Performance Santa Fe
Performance Santa Fe has been bringing the world’s best music, dance, and theater to iconic Santa Fe locations since 1937. The organization upholds excellence in the performing arts and brings joy and enrichment to the community. Alongside its extensive performance season, the organization runs dynamic, exciting, and inclusive educational programs for students in the community. Experience the extraordinary: Performance Santa Fe’s 2023–24 season, featuring 24 performances of music, dance, and theater. Learn more at www.PerformanceSantaFe.org. Performance Santa Fe is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
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