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.
