Churchtown Dairy Launches Theatrical Series with THE MADWOMAN OF CHAILLOT

Executive Director Kam Bellamy announces Churchtown Dairy's first-ever theatrical venture: The Dairy presents The Madwoman of Chaillot, written by Jean Giradoux and adapted by Maurice Valency, in a production by innovative theatre company The Lunar Stratagem, running July 19-27, 2019 in the unique and architecturally striking Round Barn. Award-winning theatre maker and Columbia County resident Matthew Earnest directs his freewheeling company in a new, contemporary version of a fable about the triumph of love and community over greed and cynicism. Written in 1943 during the Nazi occupation of France, the play is both a delightful romance and a wildly theatrical comedy, suitable for the whole family. The exceptional cast of 14 professionals features Broadway veterans and noted actors of the American Regional Theatre. Tickets are available through Eventbrite at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-madwoman-of-chaillot-tickets-61732928852.

More information: https://www.churchtowndairy.org, https://www.thelunarstratagem.org.

In the Chaillot district of Paris, a group ofcorporate executives are holding ameeting at the Café Chez Francis. They plan to drill for oil under the streets and have no concern for how their plans will permanently mangle the city. The plot is fortunately overheard by Countess Aurelia, the Madwoman of Chaillot, an aging idealist who refuses to see the world as anything but joyous and beautiful. She resolves to intervene.

Aurelia enlists the help of a ragtag group of outcasts, including her fellow madwomen, Constance, Gabrielle, and Josephine. At a loopy, Alice in Wonderland-style tea party, they conduct a mock trial for the "wreckers of the world's joy", ultimately agreeing that the only fair verdict for them is death. In the play's audacious, stirring ending, the greedy businessmen are lured by the smell of oil into a bottomless pit, never to be seen again.

Director Matthew Earnest's "spare, eloquent work" (The New York Times) upends traditional theatrical narrative and incorporates "a vibrant blend of theatrical elements" (Berliner Morgenpost), creating uniquely poetic, "daring and adventurous" works (Dublin Sunday Times) that "challenge the conventions of what theatre can be" (Outmagazine). His more than 100 productions of new and classical plays, operas, musicals, and his own literary adaptations and translations have garnered acclaim in NYC, across the US, in Europe, Canada, and Africa. For more information, visit www.matthewearnest.com.

The cast includes Monica Bell(Utah & Alabama Shakespeare Festivals, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, etc.) in the title role; with John Woodson(Broadway, The Public Theatre, etc.) as The Ragpicker; Walton Wilson(BAM, Shakespeare&Co, Berkshire Theatre Group) as The President; Samantha Rosentrater(Shadowland Stages, Theatre Horizon) as Madame Josephine; Trae Hicks(Off-Broadway, English Theater Berlin) as The Prospector; Kristin Kundert(Festival Stage, Porthouse Theatre) as Madame Constance; and Emily Nash(The Flea, Hudson Guild Theatre) as Mademoiselle Gabrielle.

Production Design (Scenery & Costumes) is by William Bezek. Lighting Design is by Severn Clay. The Stage Manager is Krista Swan.

Preview: Thursday July 18, 2019; Opening Night: Friday July 19, 2019; with shows Saturday July 20, Friday July 26, & Saturday July 27. All performances are at 7:30PM in the Round Barn at Churchtown Dairy - 357 County Route 12, Hudson, NY 12534.

Tickets are available only through Eventbrite for a suggested donation of $25; Please note: Because of limited seating for this event,RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. Please visit http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-madwoman-of-chaillot-tickets-61732928852 to make reservations.

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