Press Release: Curio Theatre Company Continues Mainstage Season with David Adjmi’s Contemporary Take on Marie Antoinette Famed Queen of France Takes Center Stage February 14-March 10
Curio Theatre Company brings audiences into a modern look at one of history’s most controversial figues. David Adjmi’s Marie Antoinette kicks off 2018 for the West Philadelphia theatre. This contemporary take on the infamous French Queen runs February 14-March 10. Directed by noted local director Brenna Geffers, this engaging story of excess, artifice, and revolution opens Friday, February 16 at 8 p.m. Most performances are Thursday–Saturday at 8 p.m. Industry Night is Monday, February 19 at 8 p.m. All performances are held at Curio’s home in the Calvary Center for Culture and Community at 4740 Baltimore Ave. Tickets cost $15-$30 and are available online www.curioutheatre.org or by phone at 215-921-8243.
In Adjmi’s contemporary take on the young famed queen of France, Marie is a frivolous, extravagant prisoner of circumstance. She is a confection created by a society that values extravagance and artifice. As the revolution brews and the people of France sour to the excess and artifice that define her life, they prepare to place her head firmly on the chopping block. In this dark and humorous tale, Marie consorts with kings, lovers, and the occasional sheep, while the chants of “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité!” filling the streets grow ever louder. Marie Antoinette holds a mirror up to our contemporary society that might just be entertaining itself to death.
Brenna Geffers makes her Curio Theatre Company directorial debut. Jennifer Sumerfield is cast as Marie Antoinette with Curio Company member Brian McCann as King Louis XVI. The ensemble, who portray several people who circle around them includes: Company Member Rich Bradford (who appeared in The Birds last season), Jessica Delcanton, Twoey Truong, and Liam Mulshine.
“It is funny and dangerous and nimble. It is absolutely about right now. I have found myself thinking a lot about the French Revolution in the past year. I am sure I am not the only one’; the inequality of wealth is a huge issue right now. I have also been questioning a lot of my own preconceptions about the complicity of wealthy white women in the power structures they operate in. What kind of pity or unearned empathy does our society extend to them?,” said Geffers. “Looking at voting patterns of white women in the last year has made me realize how wrong so many of my assumptions have been. I often hear the question ‘why would these women vote against their own self-interests?’ and I wonder – are they actually? Or rather, are they actually voting to protect privilege. Marie Antionette can be a fascinating lens to look at this question through. What kind of culpability are we willing to assign privileged women? How dangerous are princesses? What would Melania and Ivanka do?”
Curio Artistic Director Paul Kuhn, the Set Designer, known for his immersive and creative sets brings audiences this time into Palace of Versailles. He is joined by Company Members Tim Martin as the Lighting Designer and Aetna Gallagher as the Costume Designer. Chris Sannino is the Sound Designer. Kathleen Soltan is the Stage Manager.
Finished Geffers, “I hope that people will laugh and then after that laughter fades, question which side of the Guillotine they would be on? Which side would they want to be on?”
Photos by Rebecca Gudelunas Featuring Jennifer Summerfield as Marie Antoinette and Brian McCann as King Louis
About Curio Theatre Company
Curio Theatre Company’s mission is to serve audiences in West Philadelphia and beyond with high quality, affordable theatre performances; to develop artistic talent through ensemble, company-based training and rehearsal processes; and to further academic, social, and personal development through arts education. The artistic and the educational arms of the theatre company are intertwined as we make our home in the diverse community of West Philadelphia. The company’s Educational program was just awarded the 2017 Victory Theatre Education Award at the Barrymore Awards Ceremony. It marked the company’s first Barrymore Award. Curio Theatre Company is a 501(c)3 non-profit company based in West Philadelphia. We are currently in our 12th season. The Company was founded by professional artists and administrators who met at the Hedgerow Theatre in Rose Valley, PA, over the past 15 years and incorporated as a non-profit organization in October 2004. After touring locally and internationally for several years, the Company began a search for a permanent home. In January 2005, Curio Theatre Company joined in partnership with the Calvary Center for Culture and Community at 4740 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia. This partnership provides Curio with a performance venue and classrooms within the Calvary Center as well as office space and company housing in the adjacent parish house. In return Curio is assisting the Calvary Center in creating a professional Performing Arts Venue in the heart of West Philadelphia.
