The Green Bird
Encyclopedia
The Green Bird is an 18th century commedia dell'arte
play by Carlo Gozzi
. It has been translated into English by Albert Bermel and Ted Emery and also by John D. Mitchell. The most famous production, directed by Julie Taymor
, was first performed on Broadway in 2000.
As the twins mature, they come to realize something is amiss, and commence a search for truth and, as happens, fortune. Their adventure (fairly reminiscent of Dorothy's in the Wizard of Oz) we see played out to its joyful conclusion. It includes time spent in the company of Singing Apples, Dancing Waters, an enormous serpentine puppet aptly named Serpentina; one beautiful statue, Pompea, that comes to life; another enormous statue, made of stone with moving eyes and mouth but, alas, a broken nose, Calmon; and a variety of others far too numerous to mention.
when Michael Grief was the artistic director.
The Broadway production opened on April 18, 2000 and closed on June 4 after 56 regular performances and 15 previews. The production won glowing reviews for its strong performances and breathtaking creative aspects. It received Tony Award
nominations for Best Costume Design and Best Featured Actor for Derek Smith as Tartaglia. Elliot Goldenthal
composed a highly acclaimed score
for the production that is available on iTunes
. Musical staging was by Daniel Ezralow
.
Commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell'arte is a form of theatre characterized by masked "types" which began in Italy in the 16th century, and was responsible for the advent of the actress and improvised performances based on sketches or scenarios. The closest translation of the name is "comedy of craft"; it is shortened...
play by Carlo Gozzi
Carlo Gozzi
Carlo, Count Gozzi was an Italian playwright.Born in Venice, he came from an old Venetian family from the Republic of Ragusa...
. It has been translated into English by Albert Bermel and Ted Emery and also by John D. Mitchell. The most famous production, directed by Julie Taymor
Julie Taymor
Julie Taymor is an American director of theater, opera and film. Taymor's work has received many accolades from critics, and she has earned two Tony Awards out of four nominations, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costume Design, an Emmy Award and an Academy Award nomination for Original Song...
, was first performed on Broadway in 2000.
Plot
The play is set in the imaginary city of Monterotondo and several other fanciful locales. While the nincompoop King Tartaglia is away, his queen, Ninetta, gives birth to twins, Barbarina and Renzo. His incomparably wicked mother, Tartagliona, orders a servant, Pantalone, to lock the queen in the cellar and throw the babies in the river. Pantalone first wraps them securely in oilcloth, a gesture which saves their lives since they are soon found by a butcher, Truffaldino and his wife, Smeraldina, who raise them. Meanwhile, Ninetta languishes in Tartagliona's prison, kept alive by regular visits from The Green Bird. Tartagliona's evil is abetted by a soothsayer, Brighella.As the twins mature, they come to realize something is amiss, and commence a search for truth and, as happens, fortune. Their adventure (fairly reminiscent of Dorothy's in the Wizard of Oz) we see played out to its joyful conclusion. It includes time spent in the company of Singing Apples, Dancing Waters, an enormous serpentine puppet aptly named Serpentina; one beautiful statue, Pompea, that comes to life; another enormous statue, made of stone with moving eyes and mouth but, alas, a broken nose, Calmon; and a variety of others far too numerous to mention.
Production history
Julie Taymor designed the masks and puppets and directed the Off-Broadway and Broadway debuts of the piece. It was originally presented in March 1996 at The New Victory Theater on 42nd Street with Theater for a New Audience. It was subsequently produced at La Jolla PlayhouseLa Jolla Playhouse
La Jolla Playhouse is a not-for-profit, professional theatre-in-residence on the campus of the University of California, San Diego. -Background:...
when Michael Grief was the artistic director.
The Broadway production opened on April 18, 2000 and closed on June 4 after 56 regular performances and 15 previews. The production won glowing reviews for its strong performances and breathtaking creative aspects. It received Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
nominations for Best Costume Design and Best Featured Actor for Derek Smith as Tartaglia. Elliot Goldenthal
Elliot Goldenthal
Elliot Goldenthal is an American composer of contemporary classical music. He was a student of Aaron Copland and John Corigliano, and is best known for his distinctive style and ability to blend various musical styles and techniques in original and inventive ways...
composed a highly acclaimed score
The Green Bird (score)
"The Green Bird" score is composed and orchestrated by Elliot Goldenthal for the 1999 musical of the same name, directed by long-time Goldenthal collaborator Julie Taymor; it is an allegorical fairy tale of a royal family's rite of passage after being separated by a wicked grandmother.The score...
for the production that is available on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
. Musical staging was by Daniel Ezralow
Daniel Ezralow
Daniel Ezralow is a dancer and choreographer. In addition to having his own dance company, he has choreographed for the theatre, opera, film, and television.-Career:...
.