Pointless Theatre, DC's premiere puppet spectacle company, is proud to launch their 2015-2016 season with the world debut production of Gimme a Band, Gimme a Banana! The Carmen Miranda Story, presented as a part of the Women's Voices Theater Festival.
In October, Pointless will debut their newest creation, a samba spectacular featuring
Carmen Miranda's classic songs, including "Lady in the Tutti Frutti Hat," brought to life by a vivid mixture of live music, pantomime, dance, and puppetry. As their entry into the Women's Voices Theater Festival, this Pointless production will tell the story of the legendary "Brazilian Bombshell" who became one of the world's first Latina superstars, and who later grew to resent the stereotypes that became associated with her image. The piece explores a tense yet revolutionary period for Brazilian music and political relations between Latin America and the United States during World War II. Inspired by the visual and musical culture of Brazil, the show brings to life the tragic story of Miranda's rise to fame and abrupt death.
This era of Hollywood glam and cultural commodification is examined through Miranda's experiences as one of the first Latina performers to immigrate to the United States and become a household name. The story is told through Miranda's songs, which introduced aspects of Brazilian culture to the rest of the world. Written by Brazilian natives and company members Patti Kalil and
Mel Bieler, the show draws inspiration from nostalgic images of Brazil, while alluding to classic 1940's musical films and theater in the styles of
Busby Berkeley and
Lee Shubert. Brazilian artist Roberta Alves will direct this theatrical extravaganza, with Music Direction by Brazilian musician Patricia Vergara, and choreography by Pointless' Co-Artistic Director Matt Reckeweg.
"When asked about
Carmen Miranda, most people can only identify her as the crazy lady with the fruit basket on her head. Her image is the strongest statement she's left behind," says Bieler, "With this production, we are interested in exploring the woman behind the fruit, more specifically the identity struggles Carmen faced, on stage and off, as she fought to make her mark in the world, represent her country internationally, and follow her dreams of being a Hollywood star."
Gimme a Band, Gimme a Banana! The
Carmen Miranda Story is presented as a part of the Women's Voices Theater Festival. The production begins previews on October 15th, opens October 18th, and runs through November 14, 2015 at Capital Fringe's Trinidad Theatre (1358 Florida Ave, NE). This year marks the first time that Pointless will be producing a full production in the new Capital Fringe venue, blocks away from H Street and Gallaudet University.
General admission is $25 and student/senior tickets are $18. For more information, visit www.pointlesstheatre.com, and for tickets visit www.capitalfringe.org. Tag mentions on social media with #pointlessbananas and #districtofcarmen, or follow Pointless at @PointlessTheatreCo on Facebook, @PointlessTheatre on Instagram, and @PointlessThetCo on Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr for updates.
Use #womensvoicesfest to follow the story of the Women's Voices Theater Festival. Pointless Theatre is proud to be a participating theater in the Women's Voices Theater Festival. For more information, visit www.womensvoicestheaterfestival.org.
POINTLESS THEATRE CO. is dedicated to creating bold, visceral, and affordable spectacles that gleefully smash the traditional boundaries between puppetry, theatre, dance, music, and the visual arts. Through our work we excite a passion for adventurous art in the nation's capital and nurture a diverse, active, and inspired audience. More information can be found at www.pointlesstheatre.com.
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