Sing Muse
Conceived and directed by Rudy Ramirez | Presented by VORTEX Repertory Company
Sing Muse draws on the classical art forms of poetry, theatre, music, dance, history, and astronomy to bring a long-forgotten myth to the VORTEX stage for two weeks only.
Few remember Thamyris, the once-legendary poet of Ancient Greece who was the first man to fall in love with another man. But the Muses remember. Thamyris claimed he could make art superior to the Muses’ and failed. After defeating him, they sentenced him to an eternity in Hell. However, eternity is a long time, and now The Muses will give Thamyris one last chance to redeem himself. Together they tell a story about searching for the one thing more elusive than love: inspiration.
This production of Sing Muse is the initial phase of its artistic development. VORTEX welcomes audience response in order to assist in the future revision and production of this piece for VORTEX’s upcoming 25th season. There will be a talkback session after every performance for the audience to have a conversation with the artists who created the piece.
VORTEX Repertory Company members Jennifer Coy, Krysta Gonzales, Jonathan Itchon, Chelsea Manasseri, Betsy McCann, and Melissa Vogt-Patterson join with guest artists Hayley Armstrong, Nickclette Izuegbu, Laura Ray, and Karen Rodriguez to create a new theatre piece under the direction of Rudy Ramirez. These artists collaborated on original material all year to develop and devise Sing Muse.
Directed by Rudy Ramirez, Scenic design by Ann Marie Gordon, Lighting design by Patrick Anthony, Costume design by Haydee Antunano.
The Cast:
- Hayley Armstrong: Urania, Muse of Astronomy
- Jennifer Coy: Polyhymnia, Muse of Hymns and Religious Poetry
- Krysta Gonzales: Terpsichore, Muse of Dance
- Nickclette Izuegbu: Calliope, Muse of Epic Poetry
- Chelsea Manasseri: Euterpe, Muse of Music
- Betsy McCann: Melpomene, Muse of Tragedy
- Laura Ray: Clio, Muse of History
- Karen Rodriguez: Thalia, Muse of Comedy
- Melissa Vogt-Patterson: Erato, Muse of Love Poetry
- Jonathan Itchon: Thamyris, a poet