The Classical Theatre of Harlem

dream on monkey mountain

by derek walcott  

Directed by Alfred Preisser

Musical Director: William "Spaceman" Patterson
Choreographer: Bruce Heath
Set Design: Troy Hourie
Costume Design: Kimberly Glennon
Sound Design: Matt Kraus

Cast Andre de Shields, Kim Sullivan, Benton Greene, Jerry Clicquot, Michael Early, Arthur James Solomon, Neil Dawson, Dele, Celli Pitt, De'adre Aziza, Jaime Carrillo, Tracy Jack, Adenrele Ojo, Catherine Jean-Charles, and Melanie J-B Charles

October 1 - October 26, 2003 | The HSA Theater
 
"Dream on Monkey Mountain is natural fare for that giant-killer of a company, the Classical Theater of Harlem . . . this is a troupe that makes a habit of locating the most challenging works in the canon and knocking them off as if with a slingshot . . . with the Classical Theater of Harlem draped all over it [Dream on Monkey Mountain], it's as entertaining as it is ambitiously literary." The New York Times

"What a strange, sprawling piece of theater Dream on Monkey Mountain is . . . These days, only a troupe with the rare sense of adventure of the Classical Theatre of Harlem would be ambitious enough-not to say crazy enough-to undertake a play like this.  And thank goodness for that . . . the production is a full, enveloping event . . . thanks to a theater group undaunted by such a tough, thorny, worthy challenge."  Newsday

"Astoundingly theatrical . . . the twelve person ensemble is a force of nature . . . André De Shields is alarmingly real as Makak . . . The Classical Theatre of Harlem is making theatre dangerous again." NY Theatre.com

"The Classical Theater of Harlem clearly doesn't balk at theatrical challenges. Last season's program included Genet's The Blacks and Witkiewicz's The Crazy Locomotive, two innovative landmarks that defy the cookie-cutter model of playwriting favored by today's tremulous artistic directors. The company's fall season features Derek Walcott's Dream on Monkey Mountain . . .  [Alfred] Preisser elicits crisp performances from his cast . . . Makak is played with gusto by veteran André De Shields" Village Voice

"Classical Theatre of Harlem, fresh from last year's success with Genet's The Blacks, has again mounted a colorful and evocative production . . . André De Shields is a marvel as Makak . . . [De Shields] is a powerful and physical actor and the perfect choice for this role." Curtain Up

“The Classical Theatre of Harlem has revived the famous 1970 drama, "Dream on Monkey Mountain," and has met the challenge of the multimedia production that includes live music, dance, choral singing, and movement . . . Andre De Shields has taken on a role as difficult as King Lear." Backstage
 
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