Hungarian drama, Spanish flamenco and John Wayne -- those are among the highlights and surprises scheduled for Santa Fe Stages' 3rd annual season of performing arts events and festivities, running June 3-Aug. 3.
Here's the run-down of events at this New Mexican festival:
Withering Looks
A piece by the British comedy duo (Maggie Fox & Sue Ryding), Lip Service. This comedy about two of the three Bronte sisters catches the authors' opinions on "everything from David Niven to sexual frustration." At the Weckesser Studio Theatre, June 3-15.
Move Over Moriarty
In repertory with their Withering Looks at the Weckesser Studio, this second comedy by Lip Service features Sherlock Holmes investigating the Garibaldi Biscuit Affair. Fox and Ryding promise "a curious cast of hundreds including Flying Fernando, Titan of Trapeze; death-defying Dan and his whelk infested tank of terror; and a novelty chicken act." June 4 14.
Rosemonde
A poignant, romantic fantasy about a sailor lost at sea, Rosemonde is the work of Les Deux Mondes, a Quebec troupe that previously brought Promised Land and The Tale Of Teeka to Santa Fe. June 18-22 at Weckesser Studio.
Leitmotiv
As vigorous and cutting-edge as Rosemonde is gently ambrosial, Leitmotiv will blend drama, opera, video and live theatre in an MTVstyle ride into the 21st century of "love, war and destiny." Production spokesperson Gary W. Murphy pegs this one as the Festival's most-talked about and highly anticipated entry. Greer Garson Theatre, June 20-22. Obsesion Oscura ("Dark Obsession")
Maria Benitez Teatro Flamenco adapt Federico Garcia Lorca's tragedy of Spain's "destructively patriarchal society." Classical flamenco will follow this dance/theatre piece, which plays at the Greer Garson Theatre June 25-29.
Martha Graham Dance Company
Three works: "Chronicle;" "Acts Of Light;" "Diversions Of Angels." At the Greer Garson Theatre, July 4-6.
John Wayne Never Slept Here
Welcome to the Old West, where "America's favorite pop/icon actor and an unknown British gunslinger explain everything you ever wanted to know about the West but were afraid to ask." This Weckesser Studio staging, July 9-Aug. 3, features Brad Bellamy (U.S.) and Mark Kilmurry (U.K.; a member of the "Snarling Beasties" troupe).
The Guardsman
Laszlo Marton, a major European director, will stage this lesser-known work by Ferenc Molnar. The play premiered, in 1911, at the same Budapest theatre where Marton now serves as artistic director. In 1924, Lunt & Fontanne starred in The Guardsman on Broadway. This romantic comedy of love and intrigue in the theatre world during the last days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire runs July 23-Aug. 2 at the Weckesser Studio.
Tartuffe
Santa Fe Stages artistic director Martin L. Platt will direct local favorite Ray Dooley as Tartuffe in a "very modern, very 90's stage production. As in the recent, unrelated Broadway adaptation, Tartuffe: Born Again, the plot itself stays true to Moliere's original: father and husband Orgon falls prey to the con-man extraordinaire -- with nearly calamitous results. Platt promises "a Tartuffe pushed to the edge, with real stakes in the real world. It's not as radical as Peter Sellars, but in the same neighborhood." Tartuffe sneaks into the Greer Garson Theatre July 16-Aug. 3.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Last but certainly not least at the Festival will be the stylish swing n' dance band, "Big Bad Voodoo Daddy," complete with pin-stripe suits, fedora hats and "spectacular shoes." "Daddy" will boogie down Aug. 3 at the Greer Garson Theatre.
Of the season, artistic director Platt wrote, "Three years ago we set out to create an international festival that presented a variety of work -- dance, theatre and performance -- where artist from around the world would work alongside our own artists at Santa Fe Stages." Production spokesman Gary W. Murphy told Playbill On-Line the Festival comes at a busy time for the burgeoning Santa Fe arts community, what with a full schedule at the Opera House and the opening of the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum set for June.
For tickets & information on the Santa Fe Stages summer season, call (505) 982-6683, or refer to the summer stock listing on Playbill On-Line.
--By David Lefkowitz
