The Jester’s Wife art work by Sarah Lewis Smith
THE JESTER’S WIFE Premieres at the 36th Street Theater in September
Performances begin Thursday, September 21 and continue through Sunday, October 8.
Purchase your tickets at Eventbrite at this link
The world premiere production of THE JESTER’S WIFE, directed by T.J. Elliott, will play a three-week limited engagement at the 36th Street Theater (312 W 36th St. 4th floor, New York, NY 10018). Performances begin Thursday, September 21 and continue through Sunday, October 8. Opening Night is Saturday, September 23 (7 p.m.).
Purchase your tickets at Eventbrite at this link
Stories of Dymphna, legendary medieval Irish Saint, recount her escape from her crazy wicked father accompanied by her Jester, and the Jester’s Wife. Spoiler alert: The Lives of the Saints tells us that the king pursues and beheads Dymphna “because she refused to consent to their brutish passion.” Yet none of these tales explain what became of the Jester and his Wife. Apparently, that couple survived to impart Dymphna’s legend, but no one has told their story. Until now.
THE JESTER’S WIFE, a Dark Ages comedy, follows the couple as confronted by evil and still afraid for their lives they now encounter other perils. Contemplating questions of survival, responsibility, and who gets to tell a story, this play effects an original blend of intelligent slapstick with medieval and distinctly Irish tinges as the Jester’s self-preserving pragmatism and his Wife’s heroic idealism spin out interesting and entertaining moral discussions. This darkly comic narrative of survivors guilt, myth making, martyrdom, and mayhem, mingle together, in ways, familiar to our present lives.
Purchase your tickets at Eventbrite at this link
The production stars Emma Taylor Miller ((THE ODD COUPLE, Cape Fear Regional Theatre) as The Jester’s Wife, Steve Weatherbee (Pot Odds, SheNYC Theatre Festival) as Jester, and Xander Jackson as Stranger.
The production features Technical & Artistic Direction by Gifford Elliott, rehearsal assistance by theater veteran, Leigh Selting, scenic design and costume design by Elena Vannoni, scenic design by Gloria Novi, and lighting design by William Brown. Margaret Montagna is the sound designer, Scarlet Yousif, the Fight Director, and Kate Gavin is the stage manager with Alyssa Blake assisting. Publicity and Marketing consulting by Katie Rosin/Kampfire PR.
