Reynard the Fox Premiere
A newly commissioned musical production of Reynard the Fox will premiere at the Reach Performing Arts Center in Deer Isle on Friday and Saturday, May 13 and 14, 2011 at 7 p.m.
In anticipation of the 10-year anniversary celebration of the Reach, Grammy Award-winning composer Paul Sullivan teamed up with Reach director Nelson Monteith to create an original piece of musical theater based on the medieval tales of Reynard the Fox. Sullivan composed the music and Monteith wrote the lyrics.
As Monteith’s tale unfolds, Reynard is busy tricking several of his fellow forest denizens. When the victims of his non-malicious trickery reach their limit, the crow suggests they enlist the help of the forest king, Noble the Lion, to put an end to the sly trickery. Nobel comes to their aid but he, too, falls victim to Reynard’s wily ways. As it was in the medieval tales, this play employs versified animals to satirize human flaws.
Students from Deer Isle and Stonington will join Sullivan in the performance of this world premiere.
This commission was made possible through grants from The Benwood Foundation, The Island Education Foundation, the Maine Community Foundation and the New England Foundation for the Arts.
