The award winning Theatre Company at Hubbard Hall (TCHH) will present French playwright Jean Giraudoux’s Ondine, a tragicomic love story between a water nymph and a knight and the folly that results from their union, November 14 through December 8.
The play spins the tale of Hans and Ondine. Hans is a knight-errant who has been sent off on a quest by his betrothed. In the forest he meets and falls in love with Ondine, a water-sprite who is attracted to the world of mortal man. The subsequent marriage of people from different worlds is, perhaps, folly. By turns comic, enchanting and tragic, Ondine is considered by some to be Giraudoux’s (The Madwoman of Chaillot, The Enchanted) finest work.
This fall the TCHH troupe includes four young actors performing alongside a large cast of seasoned players, emblematic of its long tradition as a mentoring company. Artistic Director John Hadden will direct high school student Autumn Hausthor in the title role as well as Hubbard Hall favorites Doug Ryan as the King, Gino Costabile (last year’s Macbeth) as the King of the Sea, Erin Ouellette as the Inquisitor judge, Scott Renzoni and Cate Seeley as the girl’s adoptive parents, Myka Plunkett as Bertha, the other woman, Chris Barlow and Sylvia Bloom as opera characters Matho and Salammbo, Jack Boggan as the Superintendent of Theater, Delaney Smith as Angelique, Gabriel Patterson as Count Bertram, Robert Forgett as Trainer of Seals, Andrew Volin as the Second Judge and new faces Tony Pallone as the Royal Chamberlain and Maizy Scarpa as the handsome knight. Local jazz musician David Cuite will accompany the play live on double bass.
For this production, we are going back to Hubbard Hall’s roots, not only facing the stage but even using the old painted flats for different scenes, said Hadden. “It will be a rare chance to experience the theater as it was designed to play, perfect for the mystery of an adult fairy tale.”
There will be 13 performances of Ondine, November 14 (Pay What You Will / Open Rehearsal) at 8 pm, November 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 and December 6 and 7 at 8 pm and November 17 and 24 and December 1 and 8 at 2 pm. Tickets cost $22 for Hubbard Hall members, $25 for non-members and $15 for students and children. Tickets are available at www.hubbardhall.org or by calling 518-677-2495.
Hubbard Hall is located at 25 East Main Street in Cambridge, NY. For more information on this and all Hubbard Hall programs, or to purchase tickets, register for classes, make a donation and/or become a member or theatre subscriber please visit www.hubbardhall.org or call 518-677-2495.