07/08 main season

inspired by mozart and beaumarchais
adapted by steven epp and dominique serrand
directed by dominique serrand
theatre de la jeune lune’s production
the roda theatre
april 25–june 8, 2008
west coast premiere

running time: 2 hours and 45 minutes,
including one 15 minute intermission

the art

After bringing us a delicious date with The Miser in 2006, the Tony Award-winning Theatre de la Jeune Lune returns with another eccentric take on a timeless text. Figaro marries music from Mozart’s magnificent opera with famous characters from the plays of Beaumarchais to create an accessible and exceptional new show. In this West Coast premiere, Figaro and the Count recall their rivalries years later—amidst the bloodshed of the French Revolution. Steven Epp—the Miser himself—tackles the title role, while director Dominique Serrand portrays his fallen master. Lush video sets the scene as a cast of accomplished singers surrender to intrigue and seduction. In Figaro, juicy love triangles bed down with ruthless satire of a class-conscious culture. It’s a revolutionary experience that’s the perfect birthday gift for Berkeley Rep.

the artists

An inventor, musician and playwright—and at times a spy, revolutionary and gunrunner—Pierre Beaumarchais ranks among the most influential French writers of the 18th century. His life was full of sex and scandal, and his plays overflowed with wicked wit and cutting social commentary. Beaumarchais wrote The Marriage of Figaro using characters from his previous success, The Barber of Seville, but the play was banned for years because of its vigorous critique of the aristocracy.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is without question one of the greatest composers of all time. A child prodigy who wrote his first symphony when only eight years old, he composed an incredible 626 works that also include operas, concertos and sonatas. His eternal music is beautiful and balanced, voluptuous and harmonious. In addition to The Marriage of Figaro, Mozart’s revered operas include Così fan tutte, Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute.

Dominique Serrand is the artistic director of Theatre de la Jeune Lune, which won the 2006 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. His previous hits at Berkeley Rep include The Green Bird and The Miser.

watch a trailer for the show
(1MB, QuickTime required)

watch b-roll of the show
(17.7MB, QuickTime required)