On October 23, 1997, the premiere of the musical play
GIOVANNI THE FEARLESS will form part of the Residental
College's Thirtieth Anniversary Celebration. The play will run for
two weekends, ending November 2. Audiences of all ages will enjoy the
play's energetic fusion of clowning, song, dance, and puppets
in the style of commedia dell'atre. Inspired by an old
Italian ghost-story known as Giovannin' Senza Paura, GIOVANNI THE
FEARLESS is perfect for the holiday season.
Everyone directly involved with the production are Ann Arbor area
residents, most of whom are either UM faculty or alums:
author/lyricist Carolyn
Balducci (RC Creative Writing), composer Ben Cohen
(guest artist), director Kate Mendeloff (RC Drama) and
"featured player" Martin Walsh (RC's Drama Program Head) as
well as set designer Katleen Letts (guest artist) puppet
designer Deborah Gibson (guest artist), and lighting designer
Rita Girardi (guest artist).
Since GIOVANNI THE FEARLESS showcases the RC's innovative
style of teaching drama through production, it has been awarded a
University of Michigan YoHA Mini-Grant. A mini-grant from the
Washtenaw County Council for the Arts, a regranting agency of
the Michigan Council for the Arts, provides funds for
"Artists-Behind-The-Scenes," informal talks with guest
artists, Letts, Girardi, Gibson and composer Cohen.
Musical Play for Actors & Puppets
Book & Lyrics
CHARACTERS
Giovanni, (Arlecchino) a young wanderer (Tenor)
Jacopo Bombasto, (Pantalone) pater familias (Baritone)
Colombina, Jacopo's beautiful elder daughter (Soprano)
Adelina, Jacopo's youngest child (Alto/Mezzo)
Jacopo's teen-aged sons, Ugo (Bass), Ivo (Baritone), Piero (Tenor)
Miscellaneous Bombastos (Zanni)
The Giant (a Bunraku puppet)
Various Enchantments & Magical Phenomena
Puppetry includes Bunraku, Rod Puppets (or Marionettes) & Shadow Puppets.
ACT I
Place: An Enchanted Forest
ACT II
Place: The Giant's Castle