Theater Plastique
presents

GERTRUDE STEIN SAINTS!

Directed by MICHELLE SUTHERLAND
Adapted from the text by GERTRUDE STEIN
Original Music Composed by the Ensemble

Featuring
CHANTE' ADAMS, HENRY AYRES-BROWN, ARICA JACKSON, NATHAN SALSTONE,
MOLLY GRIGGS, AMANDA LEIGH JERRY, JOHARI MACKEY, CARTER WOODSON,
JIMMY NICHOLAS, CARA RONZETTI, KELSEY TARANTINO,
SIDDIQ SAUNDERSON, & JACOB VINE

Projection Design: KEVAN LONEY
Costumes & Scenic Design: DIEGO MONTOYA
Lighting Design: JUSTIN KEENAN MILLER
Sound Design: ELIJAH MIGUEL
Dramaturgy: EMMA McFARLAND

Abrons Art Center
466 Grand Street
New York, NY 10002
(212) 598-0400 or www.abronsartscenter.org
June 12 through June 28, 2014

GERTRUDE STEIN SAINTS! is adapted from her 1928 opera libretto “Four Saints in Three Acts”. In this production, thirteen young performers rock it in totally today way, with hip-hop, guitars, rap rhythms, and overwhelming dance energy. Stein, officially classified as a “modernist”, would heartily approve.

As usual with Stein, even her opera libretto defied traditional construction. In lieu of a narrative, she wrote a highly idiosyncratic mountain of words focused on the affinity of their sounds. It features 16th century Spanish saints Teresa of Avila and Ignatius Loyola, joined by about eighteen other saints, real and imaginary.

The play opens when one man enters, singing a ballad a cappella. Soon he is joined by a second male, then a third, then a fourth, as the libretto progresses. The music is not instrumental but vocal, with tiny touches of guitar and keyboard from time to time. The “music” is also in the stomping, jumping, clapping, and amazing physicality of the dancing. The singing is sometimes harmony, sometimes Motown-style, sometimes heavenly choir.

Five females join the saints, adding angelic voices and more physical energy. From then on it’s a trade-off of all on stage, some on stage, combinations ever changing. Elvis even shows up for a few minutes. Meanwhile, the stage, which began decorated with a few clouds, keeps adding elements that drop down at random. An American eagle, a disco ball, various U.S. classic icons. The ending is comparable to the 4th of July.

The performers deserve a salute for their tremendous energy and enthusiasm throughout. Their attitude is contagious and beams waves of joy into the audience. As for the “story” of GERTRUDE STEIN SAINTS!, as one wag said, you don’t figure it out, you “figure it in.” Save thinking for another day and just feel.

-Karen D’Onofrio-