SOSEblog+news
by Anon, adapted by Edward Kemp
THE MYSTERIES investigates the human qualities within the divine and the divinity which is present in humanity. According to acclaimed director Michael Nehring, “THE MYSTERIES are a rich source of myth and storytelling on the largest possible scale. The Creation and Passion stories are tightly woven into our western culture and I believe they deserve a fresh staging that allows for diverse readings of their lessons.” In Nehring's innovative staging, God and angels will hover over the audiences' heads. The audience will also “drown” along with the other sinners in Noah's Tale. Making use of poles and catwalks, “we’re using every inch of our theatre, from top to bottom, side to side,” says Nehring.
Production Staff
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Directed by Set & Lighting Design by Props & Puppetry Design by Costume Design by Musical Direction by Stage Managed by Production Managed by Graphic Design by |
Michael Nehring Paul R. DeDoes Deborah Bird Jennifer Kirschman Ryan Poulson Barbara Janice Kielhofer Edgar Landa Matthew McCray |
Featuring
(in alphabetical order)
Hillary Bauman, Elizabeth Clemmons, Tegan Ashton Cohan*,
Sharyn-genel Gabriel, Dawn Hillman*, Kyle Ingleman, Edgar Landa*,
Matthew McCray*, Soren Oliver*, Darryl Ordell*,
Anthony Brocatto Powell, Natalie Sander,
Jonathan C.K. Williams, & Diana Wyenn
*Members of Actor's Equity Association
;)
Blog Entries & News
Matt Jul 13
As with most really exhausting and fulfilling productions... closing weekend is bitter-sweet. For those who have seen The Mysteries, it goes without saying that this production was Son of Semele Ensemble's largest "reach"... in many ways:
Four hours of Medieval cycle plays presented in a physically demanding, audience surrounding, sometimes acrobatic and highly emotion context.
Continue reading "Bitter-Sweet"
Adam S. May 30
SOSEaudio is a podcast of Son of Semele audio content - interviews, music, and behind-the-scenes audio from SOSE productions.
To listen, simply click the link below to listen in your browser, right- (or command-) click to download the MP3, or add the SOSEaudio feed to your favorite podcasting software to receive new episodes automatically. No iPod required!
SOSEaudio 01: The Mysteries on KCLA
[MP3 | 20:20 mins. | 18.7 MB]
For our first edition of SOSEaudio, we have Gerri Garner of KCLA interviewing The Mysteries director Michael Nehring, and cast members Matthew McCray and Edgar Landa.
The Creative Commons licensed music is provided by Magnatune: the band is Fluid, and the track is "What Planet" off their album 5 Star Fall.
Adam S. May 23
When I saw The Mysteries last weekend, I opted to take the plunge and see both parts on Sunday, turning my day into a marathon of - ahem - Biblical proportions. I must admit, going in I was a little skeptical at how I'd hold up to all that hot God-on-humanity action. Even though I knew it would amount to only about 4 hours in the theater (and, let's face it, I'm guilty of watching more TV than that in one sitting), the idea still seemed risky. Which is exactly why I opted to do it. But how often does the opportunity for long-form storytelling in theater present itself? I figured I'd be a good guinea pig for what we were subjecting our audiences to.
And I'm really glad I did. After seeing both parts of The Mysteries in one day, I couldn't imagine seeing the show any other way. While watching The Creation was pretty analogous to any other engaging production, I was truly surprised at the velocity of The Passion, both in the performances and my investment. Already knowing how everything would end just made me more eager to return quickly to the theater after dinner. And there's something magical about experiencing the modern mythology which affects so much of our culture in one sweeping day.
So, if you haven't seen The Mysteries yet, I highly recommend the Sunday experience. And if you have, you might want to consider going back, for a continuity and motion that is completely different from the two parts individually. From my personal experience, I can tell you it makes for an even more compelling play.
Jeremy May 23
Thank you to Michael, Paul and the Mysteries ensemble for a beautiful show last night. In a theater company, shows are like those moments in a relationship when you "see" your partner, as if they had disapperaed behind all of the day to day issues and you lost sight of "them", and you remember why you love them so deeply, and the emotion feels like it has actually sprung for the first time. My love. respect, appreciation and admiration for the company and the ensemble truly does seem limitless, every time I feel as full as I can be I found another knook to hide more l-o-v-e in. Thank you for your hard work and months of rehearsals, it was truly worth it.
Matt May 17
The Mysteries is finally open! It seems a good time to reflect upon the journey that has lead me to this point in the process of rehearsing and exploring a 4-hour play.
A variety of emotions fill me as I consider the past ¼ year of my life… yes, 25% of a full year was spent exploring biblical stories and now, another 25% will be spent performing the play. So… for you mathematicians out there… that is 6 months of Bible! Wowzers. I didn’t get this much education about the bible in 5 years of Sunday school – all I learned in Sunday school is that the word “assume” means “to make an ‘ass’ out of ‘u’ and ‘me’ “ Seriously… that is all I remember. Thanks for that lovely lesson.
Anyway… back to the subject at hand…
At the time I decided to do The Mysteries, I neither understood, cared about nor had any connection with the stories of the Bible. And, I didn’t have any interest in understanding the Bible or its stories better. The director of The Mysteries and his vision sold me on this production… and I knew when he spoke of it that this was a rare not-to-be-missed opportunity.
I am not a religious person, but I now understand how a guide like the Bible can be attractive to someone. This play has opened up my mind to the value of that way of life.
One of the main things that frustrate me about Christianity is that...
Continue reading "a Mysteries reflection"
