NEXTpittsburgh – A Baroque opera, a Shakespearean saga and a Gilded Age landmark will converge in Quantum Theatre’s dramatic world premiere of The Winter’s Tale.
To present the ambitious production—which kicks off a new season of contemporary theater in Pittsburgh and marks Quantum’s 25th anniversary—the company has joined forces with two additional local cultural powerhouses: Chatham Baroque and Attack Theatre. With Quantum’s artistic director and founder Karla Boos at the helm—and her longtime collaborator Andres Cladera serving as music director—the multi-talented team includes Andrew Fouts, Patty Halverson and Scott Pauley of Chatham Baroque along with choreographers and dancers from Attack Theatre.
Starring in the captivating cast of 11 are Argentinean Mezzo-soprano Raquel Winnica Young—who performed in Quantum’s Maria de Buenos Aires and Ainadamar—countertenor Andrey Nemzer, bass-baritone Eugene Perry and early music specialist David Newman. For the collaborative production, Chatham Baroque expands its trio into all-period orchestra featuring world-renowned Baroque flutist Stephen Schultz and oboeist Geoffrey Burgess.
A later work from Shakespeare’s canon dating to 1623, The Winter’s Tale blends fantasy, paradox, lament and jealousy—all while exploring the passage of life and time and the redemptive power of love. Audiences will be drawn into the story via a “Baroque assemblage” featuring iconic music by Handel, Vivaldi and Monteverdi that is interwoven with Shakespeare’s masterful text.
Spanning tragedy, comedy and romance, The Winter’s Tale follows the actions and psychological machinations of the rash king Leontes—who destroys his family on a whim during a heated moment of anger and jealousy. As the fairytale unfolds, the vivid work explores universal themes of fate, love, friendship and happiness. Along the way, theater-goers will meet kings and queens, dancing shepherds, an unusual statue and even one extremely hungry bear.
Scenic designer Tony Ferrieri has transformed the Union Trust’s opulent 19th-century music hall—located at the top of the building—into a space fit for Baroque opera, while Susan Tsu’s larger than life costumes include intricate wigs, fanciful motifs from nature and dresses adorned with gold ornamentation. The design also features video design by Joe Seamans, a variety of props and a newly constructed orchestra pit and passerelle (read: bridge)…
