The Bellagio Fountain Has Been Known to Make Me Cry
About
Scratching lottery tickets and dreaming of fountains in Las Vegas, two Floridians indulge in fantastic plans of escape, while a minor problem unfolds: the ground is sinking beneath them. The Bellagio Fountain Has Been Known to Make Me Cry, intertwines two divergent narratives through classic visual performance art in an earnest object-theatre examination of relationships, family, and the environment. Pairing women and water as metaphors for one another, the play explores themes of conservation and regeneration, and at its heart, our eternal quest for happiness.
Renee Philippi: Writer/Director
Eric Nightengale: Director/Lights
Carlo Adinolfi: Designer
Joe Phillips: Composer
Casey McLain: Lights/Stage Manger
Performers: Carlo Adinolifi (Water), Heinley Gaspard (Curtis), Melissa Hurst (Dixie), Lisa Kitchen (Maria), Brianna Seagraves (Water/Darlene)
Tina Iaroshenko: Producer/Design Assistant
Chiara Johnson: ASM
Production design support provided by the Edith Lutyens and Norman Bel Geddes Design Enhancement Fund, a program of A.R.T./NY as well as Set Shop. This program is supported in part by public funds from New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the NYS Legislature, and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with City Council, as well as Nancy Quinn Fund, a program of A.R.T./NY. “Bellagio” was developed through Dixon Place and Hudson Opera House artists’ residencies. Subsidized studio space provided by A.R.T./NY Creative Space Grant, supported by Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
History
“The Bellagio Fountain Has Been Known to Make Me Cry” began as “Grey Green Canals” when it was presented December 2012 in conjunction with Concrete Temple Theatre’s Residency at Dixon Place, NYC. The developmental process continued in 2014 with two in-process showings. Concrete Temple was in residency at Hudson Opera House, Hudson, NY, October 2014 and shared with the public what was created during the residency on October 25th at Hudson Opera House. December 2014, Concrete Temple presented four in-process showings of “Bellagio” at Standard Toykraft, Brooklyn, NY, and in April 2015 a workshop production of the complete show was shown at Studio 301, Brooklyn. “The Bellagio Fountain Has Been Known to Make Me Cry” premiered November 27-December 13, 2015 at HERE, NYC.
Press
“This play grows in worth when you look back and realize how many layers of human depth were offered in the breeze of 80 minutes.” “I would highly recommend The Bellagio Fountain Has Been Known to Make Me Cry.”
-NY Theatre Guide
“…explores what it truly means to be human. The set design proved to be a delicate and intricate method to express the battles and hardships these characters experience and what they needed to do to keep afloat. This thought-provoking and emotional play is a wonderful reminder of life’s challenges and struggles…A must-see.”
-TheatreScene.net
“Carlo Adinolfi’s design is thrilling…The set and props are almost entirely created with paper, adding a rudimentary feel that enhances the dreamlike atmosphere often visited in the play.” “…Even when dreams don’t come true, it doesn’t mean they weren’t worth the while.”
-New York Theatre Review
Environmental parallels run throughout Bellagio, suggesting that the need to meddle in nature’s affairs and micro-manage our relationships is not only ineffectual but self-destructive. We cannot gloss over emotional truth in the same manner that we build houses on drained swamps … we must honor water’s habits and our souls’ yearnings before either engulfs us in their natural wake.
-Theatre is Easy
“Well-played Southern-gothic one-act by Renee Philippi in the vein of Tennessee Williams with a magic-realism edge…all believable and rewarding to witness.”
-Blog Critics
“The most inventive, wondrous sets in Manhattan are being created by Concrete Temple Theatre…work is extraordinary.”
-One Magazine
Photos
Video
Workshops
1) “Bellagio” Workshop – Designing Sets with Paper and Alternative Materials: leads participants in designing sets, puppets and objects with non-traditional materials.
2) “Bellagio” Workshop – Water as Paper: teaches participants how to be the flowing water in “Bellagio.” Each participant will receive their own paper rolls to take home, to impress and awe their family and friends.
3) “Bellagio” Workshop – Paper Craft Workshop: will lead participants in creating stationary, lampshades and other decorative and useful items for their homes.
4) Talkback with Audience or Special Focus Group.
5) Lecture/Demonstration: with excerpts from the show as examples. The Lecture/Demo can be a conversation with local environmental groups or focus on Devised Work, Wedding Design with Text, Our Creative Process, Topical Theatre, etc.