Gotham Chamber Opera and Tectonic Theater Project present

EL GATO CON BOTAS (PUSS IN BOOTS)

Music by Xavier Montsalvatge
Libretto by Nestor Lujan
Conducted by Neal Goren
Directed by Moises Kaufman
Puppet Director: Mark Down
Scenic Design: Andromache Chalfant
Puppet Design: Nick Barnes
Costume Design: Clint Ramos
Lighting Design: David Lander
Choreographer: Sean Curran

Singers: Ginger Costa-Jackson, Karin Mushegain, Andrea Carroll, Craig Verm, Kevin Burdette, Stefanos Koroneos
Puppeteers: Stefano Brancato, Jonothon Lyons, Aaron Schroeder, Joseph Gallina, Ben Liebert, Marta Mozelle MacRostie, Jessica Scott, Teddy Yudain

Press Representative: Michelle Tabnick Communications

El Teatro at El Museo del Barrio
1230 Fifth Avenue
Through December 14, 2014
212.279.4200: www.ticketcentral.com

This show is special, especially during the holidays. It is teeming with skillful puppeteers, talented singers, fabulous puppets, with a spirited score and a nifty tale.

Puss first appears fumbling through the not-yet-drawn curtains to audience laughter. He is a scrawny, mangy cat with delightful movements. Miller, his new owner, is not pleased that his one inheritance is this unpleasant creature, and is ready to skin him for a hat.
Puss is hungry to live. He convinces Miller that fortune and love will be his if he makes certain provisions. Puss will need a hat, a cape, boots and a sword–transforming himself into royalty–to convince the village King and his daughter to buy into his scheme, and get the princess to wed Miller.

He presents the King with rabbits he trapped, much to the King’s delight, and presents the princess with a love letter from the “Marquis” (actually Miller). She is smitten. Puss must now find a clever way for them to meet the Marquis, which he does by fabricating Miller’s drowning and rescue. To find a proper home for the Marquis, Puss goes to the town Ogre, who consists of flowing parts, deftly put together and settling into one large, frightful creature. The Ogre shows off his abilities to transform into any form. Puss cajoles the Ogre to change into smaller and smaller creatures until he becomes a rat, which Puss preys on. The lovely palace now belongs to the Marquis and his new bride. And everyone lives happily ever after.

The musical orchestration, story and puppets were masterfully created. The puppeteers were not hidden, though sometimes had thin veils on their faces. Yet, their ability to disappear into the background was astounding. Some puppets had the faces of their puppeteers with the bodies of their midget selves, which was hilarious. All were a sight to see.

The opera, staged by the Gotham Chamber Opera four years ago, works for young and old alike, though unfortunately few children were present at last evening’s performance. Perhaps it is because the evening shows are in Spanish with English supertitles. However, matinees are in English.  El Teatro is a terrific venue for this show. The auditorium walls are painted in murals of children’s stories like Jack and the Beanstalk, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella and Puss in Boots.

Hurry and see this before it ends!

Gloria Talamas