PREMIERE – A STORMY NIGHT

Bucharest National Theatre - "Ion Caramitru" Hall

December 23, 2024, 8:00 PM

A masterpiece of Caragiale's genius, "A Stormy Night" is the ultimate exuberant, bittersweet, colorful, and tasteful portrayal of the Romanian spirit, in all its facets, both good and... less good.

In the new directorial approach proposed by VLAD ZAMFIRESCU, we rediscover Caragiale's characters for today's world, with the scent and emotion of an old neighborhood, resonating with the music of Jean Moscopol, inviting us to step in, amidst the aromas of spices and steaming food, among scaffolding, repairs, and cats meowing their "stormy" longings.

In this picturesque space, where the outer tumult brews into an uncontrollable inner boil, the kitchen becomes the heavily tested heart of the intimate universe. Master Dumitrache, played by NICULAE URS, acts as the (master)chef of the house and the table, carefully and ambitiously preparing the food, while also letting the fiery Ipingescu, in the strong performance by MIRCEA RUSU, try his culinary-political skills, up to the point of "eating the holy Constitution".

In the scenic proposal of the formidable CARMEN TĂNASE, Veta is the keeper of cleanliness and order in this story with a scent of finesse, flair, and neighborhood betrayal, which the sly and charming Chiriac, played by VLAD ZAMFIRESCU, leads with great charm. Meanwhile, Spiridon (GABRIEL VATAVU/ȘTEFAN RADU) greets all encounters with St. Nicholas with a (too wide) smile, quickly taken down from the wall.

In a surprising role, MAIA MORGENSTERN is an explosive and deliciously crazy Zița, while MARIUS MANOLE constructs a Rică Venturiano full of angst, threatening to shatter the honor of family men, while negotiating, both ridiculously and sensitively, his role in the small homeland, but especially in the larger one.

"The people sit at the table" in this production where they paint, plaster, build, eat, and combat, where everything mixes, from ideas to feelings, ingredients, and relationships, flavoring a "Stormy Night" like never seen before.

A fast-paced and surprising show, explosively comical, thought-provoking, with an exceptional cast – it is "A Stormy Night" about national and personal values, making fun of hardship, about patriots and family men, exploiters and journalists who combat, but most importantly about love, in its more or less... traditional forms.

The spectacular scenography is signed by Imelda Manu-Jipa, the character-costumes belong to Maria Ștefănescu, and Mădălina Ciupitu is the assistant director.

Cast:
MAIA MORGENSTERN – Zița
MARIUS MANOLE – Rică Venturiano
CARMEN TĂNASE – Veta
VLAD ZAMFIRESCU – Chiriac
MIRCEA RUSU – Nae Ipingescu
NICULAE URS – Jupân Dumitrache Titircă
GABRIEL VATAVU – Spiridon

Direction: VLAD ZAMFIRESCU
Scenography: IMELDA MANU-JIPA
Assistant director: MĂDĂLINA CIUPITU

For additional details regarding the above event, please contact the organizing company:  CORTINA AG SRL,  CIF 36312399, BUCHAREST