CUTTING BALL THEATER NEWSLETTER
November 2, 2011 Volume 8, Issue 4
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In this issue:

The San Francisco Chronicle Loves Pelleas & Melisande!


Melisande (Caitlyn Louchard) lets her long hair fall out of the tower down to Pelleas (Joshua Schell) in Cutting Ball Theater's Pelleas & Melisande. Photo by Annie Paladino

San Francisco Chronicle raves that The Cutting Ball Theater's production of "Maurice Maeterlinck's 'Pelleas & Melisande' shimmers like a fairy tale, confounds rational expectations and yet somehow remains engrossing...All of that is a testament to director Rob Melrose's crisp translation (just out in the latest volume from Exit Press) and his elegant stagings."

Chief critic Robert Hurwitt continues "[Director Rob] Melrose and choreographer Laura Arrington stage [Pelleas & Melisande] with stark, expressive physicality on Michael Locher's long, versatile catwalk set. Cliff Caruthers' watery score, and Wesley Cabral's almost subconscious projections on overhead wisps of fabric intensify the emotional content....the acting rises to the same dreamlike level."

Read the full review here.

The Raves Keep Coming!

Connect with Cutting Ball on Facebook for the most up-to-date news.

"An artistic masterpiece in every way, Cutting Ball Theatre's modern interpretation of the classic, yet rarely staged, Pelleas and Melisande, conquers a small theater with feats of innovative staging and energetic acting."
         -Harmony Wheeler, BroadwayWorld.com

[Pelleas & Melisande] receiv[es] a lushly atmospheric treatment by director and translator Rob Melrose... Presented on a spare, wooden traverse stage (designed by Michael Locher), and accompanied by a smoothly-flowing score by Cliff Caruthers, the action is enhanced by Laura Arrington's haunting choreography, a silent contortionism which grips each character as they try desperately to convey the conflicting emotions which grip them.
         - Nicole Gluckstern, San Francisco Bay Guardian

"What is surprising is the complete, 360 degree experience provided by Cutting Ball's uber-talented Artistic Director Rob Melrose. Not only did he painstakingly translate and direct the play, he rounded up some of the area's most talented artists to produce original music (Cliff Caruthers) and videos (Wesley Cabral) that run throughout. Add in a unique set, a gorgeous cast as well as exquisite costuming and choreography and you get a magical couple of hours....Classic...you must go!"
         -Rhonda Shrader, Dogmom'sDish.com

We're celebrating these great reviews by offering a limited number of $15 tickets to all performances this weekend. We want everyone to see this beautiful production! Use code "Little Man" when purchasing tickets online at cuttingball.com.

Season Members: click here to reserve your seats

Have you seen the video trailer for Pelleas & Melisande?

See clips from the production and learn about the acting process from Caitlyn Louchard (Melisande) and Joshua Schell (Pelleas).

Click on the image above to view the video trailer for Pelleas & Melisande.

Nobel Prize winner Maurice Maeterlinck's symbolist classic Pelleas & Melisande has all the makings of a fairy tale: a princess in distress, a handsome prince, and a beautiful castle. Yet Melisande's growing feelings for her husband's brother Pelleas threaten to jeopardize her happily ever after. The story of their tragic love affair has inspired many composers; from Claude Debussy's opera to orchestral works by Gabriel Faure, and Jean Sibelius. Newly translated by Artistic Director Rob Melrose, Cutting Ball's production features a musical score by composer Cliff Caruthers, choreography by Laura Arrington, and video installation by Wesley Cabral.

Pelleas & Melisande
by Nobel Prize winner Maurice Maeterlinck
translated and directed by Rob Melrose

Now through November 27, 2011 at The Cutting Ball Theater, 277 Taylor Street (at Ellis)
Thursdays 7:30PM, Fridays-Saturdays at 8PM, Saturdays 2PM, Sundays 5PM

PRICES
Regular Prices:
Thursdays at 7:30PM: $20
Fridays at 8:00PM: $30
Saturdays at 2:00PM: $25
Saturdays at 8:00PM: $30
Sundays at 5:00PM: $25

Cutting Ball Theater operates on a dynamic pricing model. Single ticket costs are subject to change without notice. Purchase your tickets early for the best prices.

Tickets can be purchased here

This Saturday: Special Event "Music Inspired by Pelleas & Melisande"

"Music Inspired by Pelleas & Melisande" Saturday, November 5 at 1PM
The Cutting Ball Theater in residence at EXIT on Taylor
277 Taylor Street, San Francisco
FREE

Arrive at the theater one hour before this Saturday's 2PM matinee and listen to the music inspired by Pelleas & Melisande through the ages. Executive Director of New Century Chamber Orchestra, Parker E. Monroe, will review selections from Debussy's famous opera of the same title and music composed by Gabriel Faure, Jean Sibelius, and Arnold Schoenberg before exploring the musique concrete created for the Cutting Ball production by composer Cliff Caruthers.

Tickets for the 2PM Saturday matinee are available here (don't forget to use the code "Little Man" for $15 tickets)

The Hidden Classics Reading Series begins this Sunday with Play Strindberg

Join us for our first Hidden Classics reading of the new season!

Play Strindberg
by Friedrich Dürrenmatt
Sunday, November 6 at 1PM
The Cutting Ball Theater in residence at EXIT on Taylor
277 Taylor Street, San Francisco
FREE - tickets for the 2PM Saturday matinee are available here


Friedrich Dürrenmatt 1921-1990

This season, all of our Hidden Classics readings are plays by or inspired by the work of August Strindberg, whose five Chamber Plays we will be presenting in repertory as part of our 2012-2013 season. Play Strindberg is Dürrenmatt's absurdist re-imagining of Strindberg's seminal marriage drama Dance of Death. Dürrenmatt transforms the vicious, cat and mouse games between an aging soldier Edgar, his failed-actor wife Alice, and their prodigal friend Kurt into a comic maelstrom, divided into rounds like a boxing match.

Play Strindberg is directed by Cutting Ball Literary Manager Bennett Fisher, who directed The Insect Play in last year's Hidden Classics series. It features Derek Fischer (Cutting Ball's Pelleas and Melisande, The Bald Soprano), Sarah Moser (Cutting Ball's Insect Play), and Brian Trybom (Shotgun Player's Road to Hades).

The reading begins at 1pm, and is free and open to the public. A talkback will follow the performance. We hope to see you there!

More Special Events at The Cutting Ball Theater!


Golaud (Derek Fischer) pulls Melisande (Caitlyn Louchard) by her extraordinarily long hair in Pelleas & Melisande. photo Annie Paladino

The Cutting Ball offers a range of special events to deepen your experience of Pelleas & Melisande. Check out the Pelleas & Melisande events page for more information.

Thursdays: Deliciously Brainy Happy Hour Join dramaturg Bennett Fisher at 6PM at 50 Mason Social House before all Thursday performances.

Happy Hour specials at 50 Mason include:
$1 off all drafts
25% off all bottles of wine
$5 glass house red wine
$5 glass house white wine
All cocktails $4
$8 beer/shot combo (Underburg Bitters shot & Kirin Ichiban)


Melisande (Caitlyn Louchard) and Pelleas (Joshua Schell) watch as her doves fly out of the castle's tower in Cutting Ball Theater's Pelleas & Melisande Photo by Annie Paladino.

Fridays: post-show drinks with the cast
Our next Friday night outing will take place on November 4 at a bar near the theater. We'll have up to the minute details about drink specials and location on our special events page.

Saturdays: pre-matinee lectures

"Music Inspired by Pelleas & Melisande" Saturday, November 5 at 1PM
Arrive at the theater one hour before this Saturday's 2PM matinee and listen to the music inspired by Pelleas & Melisande.

"Maeterlinck and Symbolism" November 12 at 1PM
Join us for a conversation with Cutting Ball designers Michael Locher and Wesley Cabral.

Sundays: post-show talkback with the artists.
Stay after the show for a Q & A with the cast.