Robert Lepage's
The Andersen Project
U.S. East Coast Premiere
June 11, 12 & 13, 2009
Merriam Theater at the University of the Arts
From acclaimed Canadian writer-director Robert Lepage comes The Andersen Project, a boundary-pushing work freely inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's stories "The Dryad" and "The Shadow," as well as anecdotes drawn from the famed Danish author's Parisian travels. This spellbinding one-man show starring French-Canadian actor Yves Jacques draws on some of Lepage's favorite themes: the juxtaposition of past and present, of Romanticism and Modernism, and of established and underground art forms. In this fascinating piece, Lepage also delves into more personal territories—sexual identity, unfulfilled fantasies, and the thirst for recognition and fame—that derive from Andersen's life and writings, only to serve as a filigree to the modern tale.
"...A theatrical conjurer, whose dazzling shows have captivated audiences around the world with their mixture of storytelling and stunning imagery."
Synopsis:
Having come to Paris at the behest of the Opéra Garnier, which has commissioned him to write the libretto for a children’s opera based on a fairy-tale by Hans Christian Andersen, a Québécois songwriter settles down in a friend’s apartment, rue Saint-Denis. During his stay, he necessarily meets people: one of the Opéra’s senior managers (a man with some odd and unusual likings), a young janitor and graffiti artist of North African descent, as well as a dog who could well be guiding the tale along its way. Once again, Lepage tells the story of a Québécois whose travels abroad and meetings with others allow him to find out what defines, motivates and inspires him. Content appropriate for mature audiences only.
Tickets on Sale Friday, April 24!
ticketmaster.com | 800-982-2787 | Merriam Theater Box Office
Merriam Theater Box Office is located at 250 South Broad Street in Philadelphia. Open Mon - Sat, 10am - 5:30pm and later on performance evenings.
Links of Interest:
> Robert Lepage
> Yves Jacques
> New York Times feature on Robert Lepage
Robert Lepage's The Andersen Project has been funded by the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage, though the Philadelphia Theatre Initiative.
