Snowlion Repertory Company, whose mission is to create, develop, and present new theater works of cultural, ethical, and spiritual value, announces the world premiere production of the new musical Mesmerized running May 3 through 12 at Portland Ballet Studio Theater in Portland.
Set in 1777 Vienna, Mesmerized is the true story of Dr. Franz Anton Mesmer, now regarded as the father of modern hypnosis, and the scandal that erupted when he restored the sight of the young blind prodigy pianist Maria Theresa Paradies using the radical curative technique and invisible force he called "animal magnetism." The show plunges the audience into Mesmer's world at the dawn of the Age of Reason, populated with characters including Mozart, Benjamin Franklin, the Queen Empress of the Holy Roman Empire, and others - all 100% true encounters had by the infamous doctor, presented in dramatic musical theater format, with an ample dose of humor throughout.
Mesmerized was written by Snowlion Rep's artistic director Al D'Andrea, with music by New York's Darryl Curry, and lyrics by MK Wolfe. A previous developmental concert performance was seen at Portland's first PortFringe at the St. Lawrence Arts Center, and before that the show was workshopped at The Women's Club of Hollywood. The show's music features a classically based contemporary musical theater score that is played entirely on piano.
Mesmerized explores the difficulties encountered when a society faces the upheaval of great change, when the status quo is threatened by new ideas. Dr. Mesmer propounded theories that were radical for their time (what we might today call "New Age" ideas), and though his work was condemned at the time as being false, his cures were absolutely real - thousands of patients suffering all manner of ailments were cured by his touch. His most famous cure was that of blind pianist Maria Theresa Paradies, for whom Mozart composed specific piano music. Rumors of a scandalous relationship between doctor and patient engulfed Mesmer's clinic and ultimately sent him in exile from his Vienna home. His reputation never recovered in his lifetime, but today Mesmer's work is considered the foundation of hypnosis and an important part of bringing relief to all manner of troubled patients. His theories of a "universal fluid" are generally embraced today by those who understand the notion of chi and how it can become congested in the human body, leading to illness.
Mesmerized will have eight performances as follows:
Friday May 3 at 7:30 pm
Saturday May 4 at 7:30 pm
Sunday May 5 at 2:00 pm
Thursday May 9 at 7:30 pm
Friday May 10 at 7:30 pm
Saturday May 11 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 pm
Sunday May 12 at 2:00 pm
Performances are at the Portland Ballet Studio Theater, 517 Forest Avenue, Portland. Tickets are $23 and can be purchased at www.snowlionrep.org or by calling (207) 518-9305. For more information, visit www.snowlionrep.org.
The show is directed by Al D'Andrea. The musical director and pianist is Nell Britton. The production stage manager is Grace Eddy. The cast is as follows:
David Arthur Bachrach* as Dr. Anton von Stoerck
Kelly Caufield as Anna Mesmer
Nancy Durgin as the Queen Empress and others
Aaron Engebreth* as Dr. Charles D'Eslon
Kim Gordon as Frau Paradies
Rachel Grindle as Theresa Paradies
Mary Johnston Letellier as The Narrator and others
Alan Forrest McLucas as Dr. Anton Mesmer
Shannon Oliver as Isabella and others
Jesse Reich* as Dr. Jan Ingenhousz
Zachariah Stern as Hippocraso and others
Caleb Streadwick as Mozart and others
Bill Vaughan as Benjamin Franklin and others
Stephen Wallace as Herr Paradies
*member Actors Equity Association
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