Gripped by the 1941 Nazi occupation of Paris, Picasso abandoned his brushes to write this surreal dark comedy. banished? productions and BosmaDance have created a disquieting dance and multimedia menage of motley characters who seek escape from wartime deprivation with acts of sensual indulgence: cooking, sex and poetry.
Photography by Tom Kochel
Artistic Collaborators
Carmen C. Wong – Artistic Producer/Concept Director
Niell DuVal - Producer/Props/Carpentry
Pruitt Y. Allen - Videography
Danielle Mages Amato – Dramaturgy/Poetry
Jean-Daniel Chablais – Translation
Matt Jordan – Sound/Set
Samantha LeBlanc – Poetry
Levia Lew – Lighting/Set/Concept
Joseph Price – Web/Poetry
Katherine Stebbins – Costume
Julie Young – Videography
Performers
Meisha Bosma – Choreography; Dancer: Anguish I
Frank Britton – Actor: Big Foot
Clifton Duncan – Actor: Curtains/Silence
Naomi Jacobson – Voice: The Cousin
John Lescault – Voice: Round End
Tuyet Pham – Actor: Tart
Nicole Phillips – Choreography; Dancer: Anguish II
Otis Ramsey-Zoe – Actor: Bow-Wows
Nikki Strong – Voice: Onion
Desire: An Event in Multiple Parts
A series of episodes that culminates with a staged production.
Episode 1: Poetry Commissions
DC poets are commissioned to create short poems capturing the spirit of Picasso’s vibrant writing, to be performed as Entr’actes within the staged event.
Episode 2: Character InSTALLation
July 6th-14th
Pulp! (1803 14th Street NW) hosts an InSTALLation that is sure to raise giggles.
Episode 3: Scene Preview
Sunday, July 9 2:00pm
Theater J (1529 Q Street NW), in conjunction with its production of Ariel Dorfman’s Picasso’s Closet, hosts a free scene preview.
Episode 4: First Read
Friday, July 14 7:30pm
Candida’s World of Books (1541 14th St. NW) hosts a public reading of a newly adapted version of Desire Caught by the Tail.
Episode 5: Teaser Preview
Saturday, July 15 7:30 PM
Gallery Plan B (1530 14th St. NW) hosts a dance and theatre spectacle.
Main Event: Staged Production
July 20-23
Thursday–Saturday at 7:30pm.; Sunday at 2:00pm and 7:00pm
1409 Playbill Café, 1409 14th St. NW
Desire Caught by the Tail was partially underwritten by a generous gift from the Embassy of Spain
Venue |
| 1409 Playbill Cafe 1409 14th Street NW DC (map) |
Times & Tickets |
| Wed, Jul 19, 7pm (Invited Dinner Preview)
Thu, Jul 20: 7:30pm Fri, Jul 21: 7:30pm Sat, Jul 22: 7:30pm Sun, Jul 20: 2:00pm & 7:00pm |
Press & Program |
| Podcast Press Release Program + Poster Reviews:
“[...] a freewheeling interpretation with little of Picasso’s stage direction followed to the letter. The artist would have approved, for what good is it to pay homage to creative genius by re-creating his work if it’s done in a way that is predictable and uncreative?” “Director Carmen C. Wong wisely decides to emphasize the sensual elements of the play, hugely aided by the choreography of Meisha Bosma and Nicole Phillips, two astonishing young dancers who also appear as silent characters.” “But it’s rather striking: Terrific design work, with saucy projections and a dude playing stand-up bass at stage left.” |
