Work
Proliferation of the Imagination
A ballet-theatre-music collaboration
About
Inspired by Guillaume Apollinaire's "Les mamelles de Tirésias", based on a translation by Louis Simpson. Developed by Walter Bilderback and Matthew Neenan.
The play's plot is "simple as a periscope." The Director enters and explains the purpose of the play. After his prologue, Thérèse, fed up with her Husband, decides that she would rather be a man. She transforms into Tirésias, dresses her Husband in her clothes, and goes off in search of fame, fortune, and chorus girls. Two gambling friends, Presto and Lacouf, fight a series of duels over the location of the play. The Policeman enters and falls in love with the Husband. While speaking to a friendly Kiosk, the Husband decides that he will repopulate Zanzibar himself. As Act Two begins, the Husband has birthed 40,049 children in one afternoon. He explains his process to a Reporter, and creates another Son. But complications result from his fruitfulness. Tirésias/Thérèse returns, disguised as the Fortuneteller. She and the Husband reach a reconciliation that "it can be fun to switch- just stay aware of it" and dance off with the population of Zanzibar.
Matthew Neenan | Choreography
Walter Bilderback | Stage Director
Rosie Langabeer | Original Composition
Colby Damon, Tara Keating, Anitra N. Keegan, Gabrielle Lamb, Jaime Lennon, Matthew Prescott | Dancers
Mary McCool, Luigi Sottile | Actors
Rosie Langabeer (Accordion/Keyboard), Josh Machitz (Double Bass), Jesse Sparhawk (Harp) | Musicians
Steven Dufala | Set Design
Maiko Matsushima | Costume Design
Drew Billiau | Lighting Design