Alex Falberg, Ben Ferguson, Curtis Gillen, Ryan Melia, Matt Nuernberger, Arya Shahi and Dan Weschler are PigPen's troupe members, who create atmospheric theatrical fables through a blend of original music, shadow puppetry, live action and clever lighting effects.
Following the 2012 NYC engagement, PigPen collaborated with director Stuart Carden to revise the piece, which was seen in a new version at the Writers Theatre in Chicago and later the Williamstown Theatre Festival. The new version, according to PigPen, boasts "a tighter script, no intermission, extended music, and new puppetry."
Here's how it's billed: "The Old Man and The Old Moon is a luminously lo-fi spectacle that elevates traditional storytelling to high art. The fantastical, song-filled tale takes us to the end of the world when an old man abandons his duty of filling the moon with liquid light to search for his missing wife. With a rollicking array of ever-changing characters, inventive theatrical effects, and an infectious contemporary fold sound, these seven young actor musicians transform the seemingly ordinary into sheer wonder."
The creative team includes Lydia Fine (design and puppetry), Bart Cortright (design), Mikhail Fiksel (sound design) and the PigPen Theatre Co. (direction and puppetry). According to the creators, "The Old Man and The Old Moon creates an epic new mythology, centered on a man whose job is to collect spilled light to refill the leaking moon. When his wife unexpectedly leaves home in pursuit of much-needed adventure, he abandons his post to follow her, throwing the world into chaos as he searches for his lost love, his fading memory and, ultimately, himself."
PigPen's animated short film "Bremen," featuring music from the album of the same name, serves as a companion piece and introduction to the production. The film, produced by Gabrielle Nadig in partnership with Buffalo Picture House, introduces audiences to the "magical world" found in The Old Man and The Moon and is directed and animated by Brandon Roots with character design by Wylie Beckert.
PigPen Theatre Co. was formed at Carnegie Mellon School of Drama in 2008.
Performances continue through Oct. 12. Visit NewVictory.org.
