News Summary
Jobsite Theater is debuting Federico Garcia Lorca’s The Butterfly’s Evil Spell at the Shimberg Playhouse. This minimalist production combines puppetry and live music, enhancing Lorca’s poetic narrative. Directed by David M. Jenkins, the show features a talented team that includes innovative puppet designs by Spencer Meyers. Audiences can look forward to an engaging performance that vividly explores themes of love, desire, and nature through a unique blend of art. The premiere signifies a commitment to artistic innovation and audience engagement, with audio interviews providing further insights.
Tampa – Jobsite Theater is set to premiere its innovative production of Federico Garcia Lorca’s The Butterfly’s Evil Spell tonight at the Shimberg Playhouse, located within the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. This minimalist interpretation of Lorca’s first theatrical piece, originally titled El maleficio de la mariposa, features a unique blend of puppetry and original music, promising an immersive experience for audiences.
The show showcases six onstage actors who portray various insects amid a meadow setting, utilizing hand puppets to bring Lorca’s poetic language to life. The production demonstrates a collaborative artistic vision spearheaded by David M. Jenkins, the artistic director of Jobsite Theater, who also directed this latest offering.
Spencer Meyers, a veteran of Jobsite Theater, played a pivotal role in shaping the aesthetic of the production by designing futuristic and unconventional bug puppets, although he is not part of the cast. Supporting the visual aspect of the performance is a creative team that includes set designer Chris Guiffre, choreographer Alexander Jones, lighting designer Jo Averill-Snell, and costume designer Katrina Stevenson, who plays the titular butterfly.
In addition to the visual artistry, the auditory experience is enhanced by the original music composed by musician Jeremy Douglass, who performs live from the side of the stage. This fusion of music and puppetry serves to augment the storytelling, making it an inventive departure from traditional theatrical forms.
Jobsite Theater’s season includes other notable productions such as POTUS, Macbeth, The Pillowman, and Gorey Stories, positioning The Butterfly’s Evil Spell within a diverse lineup of works that explore varying themes and styles. Jenkins highlighted the significance of this particular production as a non-commercial endeavor that allows for creative exploration and audience engagement.
The production aims to create a rich and layered experience through the collaborative efforts of its artistic team, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in producing meaningful theater. The innovative use of puppets, combined with original music and a minimalist approach, is designed to engage and inspire audiences, encouraging them to experience the timeless themes of love, desire, and nature encapsulated in Lorca’s work.
In addition to the live performances, an audio interview discussing the nuances of the production is available on the St Pete Catalyst’s website, offering deeper insights into the artistic choices and intentions behind the show.
The premiere of The Butterfly’s Evil Spell at the Shimberg Playhouse marks a significant moment for Jobsite Theater, reflecting both a commitment to artistic innovation and a desire to resonate with contemporary audiences. As the curtain rises, spectators can expect to be captivated by a fresh interpretation of a classic text brought to life through the magic of puppetry and music.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Musical Weekend in Tampa: Maynard James Keenan and More
Tampa Bay Theatrical Adaptation of ‘The Butterfly’s Evil Spell’
Additional Resources
- St Pete Catalyst: Arts Alive Podcast – Creating Jobsite’s Butterfly
- Wikipedia: Federico García Lorca
- ABC Action News: Jobsite Theatre Presents The Rocky Horror Show
- Google Search: Butterfly’s Evil Spell
- St Pete Catalyst: Jobsite Theater – Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman
- Google Scholar: Theater Performance
- The Gabber: Florida Björkestra’s Production of Buffyfest Returns to St. Pete
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Theatre
