Circus Artist Defies Multiple Sclerosis in New Puppetry Performance
Posted Saturday April 05 2014 at 6:13 pm in Cultural Inclusion
Puppet Showplace Theatre's "Puppets at Night" series presents the Boston premiere of "Reverse Cascade," a powerful theatrical tribute to circus artist Judy Finelli, who remakes her performance career after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Created by Finelli's former student Anna Fitzgerald (UCONN Puppet Arts Program), "Reverse Cascade" features virtuosic manipulation, found-object puppetry, and original music.
Three nights only: Thursday through Saturday, April 10, 11, and 12, 2014 at 8pm
Puppet Showplace Theatre, 32 Station Street, Brookline, MA
$15 - General Admission, $13 - Members
$10 - Community Partners (1 or 2 tickets)
Recommended for all ages, 13+.
Additional Events: Following the Thursday April 10th performance, Boston opera star Barbara Quintiliani, also diagnosed with MS, will lead a post-show discussion on "Opportunities and Obstacles for Artists with Disabilities." Throughout the run, paintings from "Snow on the Brain," Marguerite McDonald's visual exploration of her own experience living with MS, will also be on display. This discussion and exhibit are co-presented with VSA Massachusetts, the state organization on arts and disability.
About the Show: After building a career as a circus performer and juggler with remarkable physical control, Judy's body began to fail her. For years she searched for an answer and was eventually given a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. Slowly Judy lost control of her body, her spirit, and the juggler that was inside of her. But the circus called her back, and Judy found new ways to challenge herself, pushing her body to the limits once again. Through the simple magic of found object puppetry and original music, this production takes audiences on Judy Finelli's amazing journey from legs, to wheels, to newfound heights.
