Mozart’s 1791 opera, Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), is thrust into the not-so-distant future. Our young heroes are early-career professionals entering essential professions with a high risk of burnout. Young Tamino is a first-year teacher at the underfunded Strange Land Middle School. Pamina is an up-and-coming education specialist highjacked by an online learning biotech startup.
This fun retelling of the opera is created by music director/adaptor Gary Ruschman, playwright Francisco Benavides, and staging director Taous Khazem. Mixed Precipitation tells the story with a cast of singers, puppeteers, and instrumentalists, featuring Mozart’s fiery arias and epic choruses paired with groovy beats from the 90s discotheque, including music by Deee-lite, Pizzicato Five, Stereo MCs, Icelandic star Björk, and more!
Our cast and crew of thirteen professional artists will bring this fresh version of Mozart’s beloved singspiel to communities throughout Minnesota this summer, including the North Shore, Iron Range, and southeastern Minnesota, as well as Viroqua, Wisconsin.
In addition to 19 epic performances, the Mixed Precipitation troupe will be trucking around the Iron Range, North Shore, and Twin Cities metro with pop-up performances. Look for these mini-performances on Friday August 5th at the Ely Public Library (1:00) and the Tower Farmer’s Market (5:00) and the Grand Marais Library on Thursday, August 11th at 10:00 am.
CAST: Pamina - Corissa Bussian (August 19 - September 11) and Jennifer LeDoux (July 31 - August 18) Tamino - Roland Hawkins Sarastro - Rodolfo Nieto Queen of the Night - Julia Engel (July 31, August 4 - 7) and Lizz Windnagel (July 31st, August 12 - September 11) Papageno - Loki Graham (July 31, August 18 - September 11) and Nick Miller (August 4 - 14) Papagena - Joni Griffith Mono-Toast / Puppeteer - Jäc Miller INSTRUMENTALISTS: Ginna Watson Uchenna Chidozie Gary Ruschman
CREW: Staging Director - Taous Khazem Music Director - Gary Ruschman Contributing Writer - Francisco Benavides Scenic Artist - Alex Hathaway, Boo McCalub Costume Designer - Rhiannon Fiskradatz Puppet Designer - Lizz Windnagel DRAGON Puppet - Woody Timberheart Choreographer - Jäc Miller Anti-Oppression and Wellness Facilitator - Asher Edes
TRAVELING STAFF: Stage Manager - Brian Hirt Audience Services - Alex Yang Tour Manager and Producer - Scotty Reynolds Production Manager (Driver) - Jäc Miller Anti-Oppression and Wellness Facilitator - Akiko Ostlund
This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
