Once again, Theatre Elision is bringing us the regional premiere of a new piece of music-theater, just two years after it's NYC premiere, that most people have probably never heard of. And friends, this one is truly special. In
Terce (pronounced ter-chay), NYC theater artist Heather Christian (who was raised Catholic, as I was) has reimagined a 9am mass as a celebration of the divine feminine and connection to nature. Something that has mostly been ignored for the last few millennia since the invention of male monotheism, but has always been with us. And this 60-minute piece of constant music invokes that beautifully. It's the most moving spiritual experience I've ever had at a mass (and I've sat through a lot of them!). A cast of performers too large to count (but around 20-ish) singing, dancing, moving, playing instruments, filling the intimate space at Elision Playhouse with music and wonder. If you're one of the many people who attended Elision's sold out run of
Great Comet last fall, or one of the many people who couldn't get tickets, go see this show. You will see some of
Great Comet in it, in the size of the cast and the intimate in-the-round setup of the black box space. If you're a fan of their annual
Ghost Quartet, this piece is similar in its non-narrative song cycle structure. And if you loved
In the Green, a musical about 12th Century nun Hildegard von Bingen, you're my people, and you will love
Terce.
Do yourself a favor and go see Terce weekends through May 17, with special Mother's Day pricing on May 10, and a 9am closing show on May 17.
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| photo by Jolie Morehouse Olson |
After getting a decaf coffee from the adorable self-serve coffee bar in the cozy Elision Playhouse lobby, with people sitting around and chatting, I entered the theater space and immediately knew I was in for something special. It felt like walking into a sacred garden, and I instantly felt calmer. Choral music and nature sounds played softly, and the space was draped in nature. Branches full of leaves and flowers hang from the ceiling, greenery tucked in every corner, with soft dappled lighting. A grand piano takes center stage, with a half circle of chairs on either side, and a split in the riser seats for performers (like in
Great Comet).
The show begins in soft singing, as the cast enters one by one (by one by one...), a veil draped over their heads. As their veils are lifted, they greet each other like old friends, and we proceed through the distinct but related songs, each one of them accompanied by a projection of the title with a gorgeous image (created by Christine Wade). Drawing on the work of female mystics (including out friend Hildegard) but including her own original thoughts and poems, Heather Christian has created something that feels so modern and relatable, while also tapping into that ancient tradition of ritual, that I had tears behind my eyes for most of the show.
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| photo by Jolie Morehouse Olson |
I can't call out any of the performers, because they were all excellent and vital in making this gorgeous full surround sound that filled the space. It's a true example of an ensemble (I've tagged as many as this platform will allow in this post). I will credit Elision's resident director and designer Lindsay Fitzgerald for creating this beautiful space and setting up distinct and interesting formations of cast in and around it. The piece is never stagnant, always fluid, which is also aided by the choreography by Joni Griffith (also a violinist and ensemble member). I'm obsessed with the costumes (by Cally Ahlin), each actor in a different flowy skirt or loose pants, with tunics, sweaters, scarves, the color scheme the soft multi-shades of the green of spring with neutrals, bits of greenery hanging from some of the costumes, as if this cast emerged from Nature herself. And I also loved the abundance of natural curls of every texture in this cast (and beautiful straight hair too).
Credit is also due to resident music director Harrison Wade (keys) and resident vocal director and ensemble member Christine Wade for the gorgeous sound of the music, the parts divided well amongst the ensemble, with harmonies that send chills down the spine. Many of the ensemble members also played various stringed or percussive instruments, a true melding of cast and band. It's only a one-hour show, but a lot of work, practice, and attention to detail went into creating it.
Terce is a one-of-a-kind musical/theatrical/spiritual experience, exactly what I've come to expect from Theatre Elision.
