The World is Round
Conceived & Directed By Rachel Dickstein
Music & Lyrics By Heather Christian
Book by Rachel Dickstein based on Gertrude Stein’s The World is Round
Winner of a 2014 Obie Award, Special Citation*
The World Is Round is a new music theatre work based on a children’s book by Gertrude Stein by the acclaimed composer Heather Christian (Oratorio for Living Livings). Stepping inside the dreams, desires, and drive of Rose, the piece tracks a young girl on a quest to climb a mountain. Through a rocking live original score, aerial choreography, and immersive video design, The World is Round transports us to the joys and fears childhood and the arduous path towards becoming a woman of ambition.
Premiered at BAM-Fisher, 2014
Based on Gertrude Stein's The World is Round
Music performed live by Heather Christian and the Arbornauts
Set Design by Mimi Lien
Lighting Design by Jiyoun Chang
Costume Design by Ilona Somogyi
Sound Design by Jane Shaw
Projection Design by Hannah Wasileski
Aerial Choreography by Nicki Miller
Assistant Director: Genee Coreno
Created in collaboration with the Ensemble: Blake DeLong, Hannah Heller, Grace McLean, Kristen Sieh. Heather Christian and the Arbonauts Live Band: Jonathan Anderson, Chris Bonner, and Dan Weiner.
Developed through several residencies featuring the following cast: Heather Christian, Amber Gray, April Matthis, and Philip Taratula.
“Playful, musical and beautifully presented. Utterly faithful to the spirit of Stein’s quicksilver intelligence, it also reveals with simplicity of the fable that undergirds the word play, ...the marvelous musical settings and the committed performances show this to be a collaboration in the truest sense between the artists and all of them with Stein.”
“Thought-provoking theatre that sings, dances, and moves with you.…. a must-see for anyone looking to get lost and found, in the very capable hands of an indisputable genius and some spectacular contemporary artistic voices.”
*(For the music, lyrics and designs of Heather Christian, Hannah Wasileski, Jiyoung Chang)
Photos by Todd France Photography
Photos by Todd France Photography
Photos by Todd France Photography
Photos by Todd France Photography
Photos by Todd France Photography
Photos by Todd France Photography
Photos by Todd France Photography
Photos by Todd France Photography
Photos by Todd France Photography
Photos by Todd France Photography
Heather Christian, April Matthis, Amber Gray and Philip Tartula is the workshop production of TWIR, 2012