Jupiter’s Journey To The Earth
(2024)
Little Opera Theatre of New York
(2024) Jupiter’s Journey to the Earth is based upon the story of Philemon and Baucis from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Franz Joseph Haydn’s opera Philemon und Baucis, oder Jupiters Reise auf die Erde was originally written for a marionette theater at the Royal Castle of Esterhazy in the 18th century. In the story, the gods look down upon the Earth and observe mankind’s cruelty towards one another and the world in which they live. At first, they throw storms upon the Earth as punishment for the humans’ bad behavior. But before destroying everything, the gods decide to search for any good people remaining. Jupiter and Mercury descend upon the Earth and discover a husband and wife whose kindness proves humanity is worth saving. Jupiter’s Journey to the Earth was created in part during a Baryshnikov Arts 2024 spring residency.
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Behind The Puppet Scenes
CAST
Jupiter
Gregory Sheppard* | Paul Whelan+
Mercury
Rebecca Marchan-Espino* | Heather Jones+
Philemon
Brian Downen* | Rufus Müller+
Baucis
Jennifer Roderer* | Heather Johnson+
Aret
David Morgans* | Gabriel Hernandez
Narcissa
Sara LeMesh* | Abigail Raiford+
The Olympians (Puppeteers)
Elise Wunderlich
Fergie L. Philippe
Manatsu Tanaka
J Hann
Aaron Banes
CREDITS
Opera by Franz Joseph Haydn
Libretto by Pfefel & Bader
After a story by Ovid from Metamorphoses
Translation by Mark Herman & Ronnie Apter
Philip Shneidman, Director & Adaptation
Maria Camia, Puppetry
Seth Reiser, Lighting & Scenic Design
Lara de Bruijn, Costume Design
Jamil Chokachi, Production Stage Manager
Samantha Robbins, Production Manager
Cordelia Senie, Assistant Stage Manager
Catherine Miller, Associate Music Director
Angus Goodearl, Assistant Lighting Designer
Caitlyn Koester, Music Preparation
Elise Wunderlich, Assistant Puppet Builder
Stephanie Fisher, Assistant Costume Designer
Sarah Poultney, Company Manager
Anthony Francavila, Form Theatricals/Financial Management
Hallets Cove Studio, Graphics
Ralph Somma, Legal Counsel Rich & Bander, Accountants