Bernarda Alba (musical)
Encyclopedia
Bernarda Alba is a one-act musical with music, lyrics and book by Michael John LaChiusa
, based on Federico García Lorca
's 1936 play The House of Bernarda Alba
. Bernarda Alba tells the story of a controlling, newly-widowed mother who is challenged by her five rebellious daughters. The musical opened Off Broadway at Lincoln Center's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater to mixed reviews.
, the all-female cast starred Phylicia Rashād
and Daphne Rubin-Vega
. The production had a limited run from March 6 to April 9, 2006. The production received Lucille Lortel Awards
and Outer Critics Circle Awards Best Musical and choreography (Daniele) nominations. The lighting designer (Stephen Strawbridge) received nominations from Lortel, Henry Hewes Design Awards, and Outer Critics Circle. Daniele also received a Callaway Award nomination for choreography. A cast recording was released by Ghostlight Records in July 2006.
The UK premiere opened at the Union Theatre in London on 23 August 2011, produced by Triptic. The production was directed by Katherine Hare
with musical direction by Leigh Thompson and choreography by Racky Plews. This production received a positive response from UK based critics. "SIMPLY ELECTRIC... a rather unique but unmissable piece of theatre.' ThePublicReviews.com
Original 2011 London Cast
"LaChiusa and Daniele are determined to illustrate passion as vividly as possible in what is being called a musical but could just as easily be described as a dance piece with singing, an oratorio, or performance art. It's a beautifully seamless fusion of all these influences."
, reviewing for the New York Times, wrote: "This latest offering from the prolific Mr. LaChiusa, often feels wan and weary...The music, though superbly orchestrated (by Michael Starobin) and played, goes places that singers used to hard-sell Broadway pizazz cannot follow. The punctuating yelps; the wavering sustained notes in minor keys; the labyrinthine interior musical paths; the eruptions into antimelodic harshness — these are all more the stuff of mid-20th-century chamber operas than conventional show tunes...The touchingly game performers, who include musical pros like Daphne Rubin-Vega (a haunting presence as the ugly daughter) and Yolande Bavan
(as Bernarda's senile mother), inevitably stumble over such challenges."
The Curtain Up reviewer noted: "Graciela Daniele's direction and choreography bring out the vivid flamenco rhythm that flavors the score. The daughters' solo arias beautifully express their individual personalities. Despite it requiring a stretch to accept the pretty Daphne Rubin-Vega as the family ugly duckling, her voice and poignant acting stand out...audiences are likely to be split between those who will love its art-y gloominess and those (this critic among them) for whom it's less exhilarating than such LaChiusa works as See What I Want to See..."
Michael John LaChiusa
Michael John LaChiusa is an American musical theatre and opera composer, lyricist, and librettist. He is best known for complex, musically challenging shows such as Hello Again, Marie Christine, The Wild Party, and See What I Wanna See...
, based on Federico García Lorca
Federico García Lorca
Federico del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús García Lorca was a Spanish poet, dramatist and theatre director. García Lorca achieved international recognition as an emblematic member of the Generation of '27. He is believed to be one of thousands who were summarily shot by anti-communist death squads...
's 1936 play The House of Bernarda Alba
The House of Bernarda Alba (play)
The House of Bernarda Alba is a play by the Spanish dramatist Federico García Lorca. Commentators have often grouped it with Blood Wedding and Yerma as a "rural trilogy"...
. Bernarda Alba tells the story of a controlling, newly-widowed mother who is challenged by her five rebellious daughters. The musical opened Off Broadway at Lincoln Center's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater to mixed reviews.
Productions
With direction and choreography by Graciela DanieleGraciela Daniele
Graciela Daniele is an Argentine-American dancer, choreographer, and theatre director.-Biography:Born at Buenos Aires, Daniele began her dance training at the age of seven at Teatro Colón, Argentina's equivalent of Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre...
, the all-female cast starred Phylicia Rashād
Phylicia Rashad
Phylicia Rashād is an American Tony Award winning actress and singer, best known for her role as Clair Huxtable on the long-running NBC sitcom The Cosby Show....
and Daphne Rubin-Vega
Daphne Rubin-Vega
Daphne Rubin-Vega is a dancer, singer, and actress. She is best known for originating the role of Mimi Marquez in the Broadway musical Rent, and the role of Lucy, in the Off-Broadway play Jack Goes Boating.-Biography:Rubin-Vega was born in Panama City, Panama, the daughter of Daphine Vega, a...
. The production had a limited run from March 6 to April 9, 2006. The production received Lucille Lortel Awards
Lucille Lortel Awards
The Lucille Lortel Awards recognize excellence in New York Off-Broadway theatre. The Awards are named for Lucille Lortel, an actress and theater producer, and have been awarded since 1986...
and Outer Critics Circle Awards Best Musical and choreography (Daniele) nominations. The lighting designer (Stephen Strawbridge) received nominations from Lortel, Henry Hewes Design Awards, and Outer Critics Circle. Daniele also received a Callaway Award nomination for choreography. A cast recording was released by Ghostlight Records in July 2006.
The UK premiere opened at the Union Theatre in London on 23 August 2011, produced by Triptic. The production was directed by Katherine Hare
Katherine Hare
Katherine Elizabeth Hare is an English theatre director.-Early years:Hare was born in Cambridge, England to John Hare, a farmer, and Celia Hare...
with musical direction by Leigh Thompson and choreography by Racky Plews. This production received a positive response from UK based critics. "SIMPLY ELECTRIC... a rather unique but unmissable piece of theatre.' ThePublicReviews.com
Casts
Original 2006 New York Cast- Phylicia Rashad – Bernarda Alba
- Saundra SantiagoAngustias
- Judith Blazer – Magdalena
- Sally Murphy – Amelia
- Daphne Rubin-Vega – Martirio
- Nikki M. James – Adela
- Yolande Bavan – Maria Josepha
- Candy Buckley – Poncia
- Nancy Ticotin – Servant/Prudencia
- Laura Shoop – Young Maid
Original 2011 London Cast
- Beverley Klein – Bernarda Alba
- Sophie Jugé – Angustias
- Soophia Foroughi – Magdalena
- Emily-Jane Morris – Amelia
- Rebecca Trehearn – Martirio
- Amelia Adams-Pearce – Adela
- Buster Skeggs – Maria Josepha
- Ellen O’grady – Poncia
- Suanne Braun – Servant/Prudencia
- Maria Coyne – Young Maid
Synopsis
In the early 1930s in a village in the south of Spain, the head of the all-female household is Bernarda Alba. She has 5 daughters as well as her elderly mother, Maria Josepha. Antonio, her husband has unexpectedly died, leaving Bernarda with the duties of taking care of the household and stables.Musical numbers
- Prologue
- The Funeral
- On the Day that I Marry
- Bernarda's Prayer
- Love, Let Me Sing You
- Let Me Go To The Sea
- Magdalena
- Angustias
- Amelia
- Martirio
- Adela
- I Will Dream of What I Saw
- Poncia
- Limbrada's Daughter
- One Moorish Girl
- The Smallest Stream
- The Mare and the Stallion
- Lullaby
- Open the Door
- Finale
Analysis
The characters sing the story as in an opera. One motif, of "barrenness and unappeasable longing" is seen in the production’s design. For example, armless wooden chairs are lined against the back white stone wall, with its large door shut against the world. "When Bernarda draws the bolt, an sense of airlessness immediately descends over the daughters, illogical as this seems.""LaChiusa and Daniele are determined to illustrate passion as vividly as possible in what is being called a musical but could just as easily be described as a dance piece with singing, an oratorio, or performance art. It's a beautifully seamless fusion of all these influences."
Response
Ben BrantleyBen Brantley
Benjamin D. "Ben" Brantley is an American journalist and the chief theater critic of The New York Times.-Life and career:...
, reviewing for the New York Times, wrote: "This latest offering from the prolific Mr. LaChiusa, often feels wan and weary...The music, though superbly orchestrated (by Michael Starobin) and played, goes places that singers used to hard-sell Broadway pizazz cannot follow. The punctuating yelps; the wavering sustained notes in minor keys; the labyrinthine interior musical paths; the eruptions into antimelodic harshness — these are all more the stuff of mid-20th-century chamber operas than conventional show tunes...The touchingly game performers, who include musical pros like Daphne Rubin-Vega (a haunting presence as the ugly daughter) and Yolande Bavan
Yolande Bavan
Yolande Bavan is a singer and actress. Born in Ceylon , she toured Australia and Asia as a performer with Graeme Bell's band early in her career. She is best known for replacing Annie Ross in the legendary vocal group Lambert, Hendricks & Ross after Ross was forced to leave the group due to poor...
(as Bernarda's senile mother), inevitably stumble over such challenges."
The Curtain Up reviewer noted: "Graciela Daniele's direction and choreography bring out the vivid flamenco rhythm that flavors the score. The daughters' solo arias beautifully express their individual personalities. Despite it requiring a stretch to accept the pretty Daphne Rubin-Vega as the family ugly duckling, her voice and poignant acting stand out...audiences are likely to be split between those who will love its art-y gloominess and those (this critic among them) for whom it's less exhilarating than such LaChiusa works as See What I Want to See..."