Modigliani
Directed by Artistic Director Kathy Scambiatterra
February - April 2009
Set in the Left Bank of Paris, 1916, Modigliani chronicles a critical 48-hour period for an artistic genius on the verge of fame. A rival of Picasso, painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani turned Montparnasse upside down with his legendary excesses and talent, while spawning a circle of friends and lovers that worshipped him like a rock star. The Parisian posterchild for the free-wheeling lifestyle of 1900s Bohemia, Modi – as he was known to his friends – filled his days with drugs, liquor, sex, art and the company of his many colorful compatriots. Yet, as he began to feel the weight of his age and the increasing pressure to produce, Modi soon came face-to-face with the limits of his own mortality and the realities of living in a world where product holds more value than process and love can’t hold a candle to the prospect of fame.
Jeff Recommended
"Primal fear and reckless, defiant exuberance. That’s the multi-hued mood of the breathless, opening moments of the Artistic Home’s Modigliani, as the title artist bounds through a plate glass window with a ferocity that radiates both feral desperation and wild exhilaration. The sheer kinetic force and audacious elation his propulsive leap is so potent that suspension of disbelief easily hangs miles high... Mossman leads the charge with charisma to burn, but he’s matched by Maria Stephens, who plays Modigliani’s lover and the model for his most famous nudes. Modigliani’s equal in terms of both passion and brains, Stephens’ Beatrice is all graceful ferocity in the demanding role, a woman whose strong mind is balanced by white-hot sensuality. Highly Recommended." Catey Sullivan
Continue reading on Examiner.com 'Modigliani' a vivid, physically intense portrait of the artist - Chicago Theatre Review | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/theatre-review-in-chicago/modigliani-a-vivid-physically-intense-portrait-of-the-artist#ixzz1nwKGG0aC
"Mossman was masterful in his portrayal of the many moods of Modigliani; whether leaping and falling athletically with his friends, or engaging the audience with his introspective monologues. Maria Stephens also stood out in the role of Beatrice as she attempted to share his love while encouraging his art (and performing a sometimes role of artistic model). I was sad to leave these artists at the end of the afternoon... A moving depiction of the artist's life." - The Frugal Chariot"Vic Doylida deftly makes the arrogant art dealer as contemptuous as he is wrong." Chicago Free Press
Modigliani featured John Mossman in the title role, with other Artistic Home Ensemble Members Eustace Allen, Luis Crespo, Victor Doylida, Maria Stephensand Matt Welton; and Artistic Associate Kaiser Ahmed.
Produced by Tim Miller
Assistant Directed by Ed Krystosek
Fight Choreography by Jeff Christian
Set Design by Chelsea Meyers
Lighting Design by Josh Weckesser
Costume Design by Irene Servose
Original Music/Sound Design by Aaron Krister Johnson
Properties Design by Gretel Ulyshen
February - April 2009
Set in the Left Bank of Paris, 1916, Modigliani chronicles a critical 48-hour period for an artistic genius on the verge of fame. A rival of Picasso, painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani turned Montparnasse upside down with his legendary excesses and talent, while spawning a circle of friends and lovers that worshipped him like a rock star. The Parisian posterchild for the free-wheeling lifestyle of 1900s Bohemia, Modi – as he was known to his friends – filled his days with drugs, liquor, sex, art and the company of his many colorful compatriots. Yet, as he began to feel the weight of his age and the increasing pressure to produce, Modi soon came face-to-face with the limits of his own mortality and the realities of living in a world where product holds more value than process and love can’t hold a candle to the prospect of fame.
Jeff Recommended
"Primal fear and reckless, defiant exuberance. That’s the multi-hued mood of the breathless, opening moments of the Artistic Home’s Modigliani, as the title artist bounds through a plate glass window with a ferocity that radiates both feral desperation and wild exhilaration. The sheer kinetic force and audacious elation his propulsive leap is so potent that suspension of disbelief easily hangs miles high... Mossman leads the charge with charisma to burn, but he’s matched by Maria Stephens, who plays Modigliani’s lover and the model for his most famous nudes. Modigliani’s equal in terms of both passion and brains, Stephens’ Beatrice is all graceful ferocity in the demanding role, a woman whose strong mind is balanced by white-hot sensuality. Highly Recommended." Catey Sullivan
Continue reading on Examiner.com 'Modigliani' a vivid, physically intense portrait of the artist - Chicago Theatre Review | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/theatre-review-in-chicago/modigliani-a-vivid-physically-intense-portrait-of-the-artist#ixzz1nwKGG0aC
"Mossman was masterful in his portrayal of the many moods of Modigliani; whether leaping and falling athletically with his friends, or engaging the audience with his introspective monologues. Maria Stephens also stood out in the role of Beatrice as she attempted to share his love while encouraging his art (and performing a sometimes role of artistic model). I was sad to leave these artists at the end of the afternoon... A moving depiction of the artist's life." - The Frugal Chariot"Vic Doylida deftly makes the arrogant art dealer as contemptuous as he is wrong." Chicago Free Press
Modigliani featured John Mossman in the title role, with other Artistic Home Ensemble Members Eustace Allen, Luis Crespo, Victor Doylida, Maria Stephensand Matt Welton; and Artistic Associate Kaiser Ahmed.
Produced by Tim Miller
Assistant Directed by Ed Krystosek
Fight Choreography by Jeff Christian
Set Design by Chelsea Meyers
Lighting Design by Josh Weckesser
Costume Design by Irene Servose
Original Music/Sound Design by Aaron Krister Johnson
Properties Design by Gretel Ulyshen
