PREMIERE – A STORMY NIGHT
Bucharest National Theatre - "Ion Caramitru" Hall
March 10, 2025, 8:00 PM
Masterpiece of Caragiale's genius, "A Stormy Night" is the ultimate sparkling, bittersweet, colorful and flavorful x-ray of the Romanian spirit, in all its aspects, with good and... less good.
In the new directorial key proposed by VLAD ZAMFIRESCU, we rediscover Caragiale's characters for today's world, with the scent and emotion of a bygone neighborhood, where Jean Moscopol's music resounds, inviting us to enter, with aromas of spices and steaming food, among scaffolding, repairs, and cats that "stormily" meow their longing.
In this picturesque space, where the outside tumult gives rise to an uncontrollable inner turmoil, the kitchen becomes the much-tested heart of the intimate universe. Master Dumitrache, played by NICULAE URS, is like a master chef of the house and table, carefully and ambitiously preparing the food, while also allowing the passionate Ipingescu, in the powerful interpretation of MIRCEA RUSU, to try his culinary-political talents, even to the point of "eating the holy Constitution".
In the stage proposition of the formidable CARMEN TĂNASE, Veta is the keeper of cleanliness and order in this story with a scent of style, dash, and neighborhood betrayal, which the cunning and charming Chiriac, played by VLAD ZAMFIRESCU, leads with much charm. Meanwhile, Spiridon (GABRIEL VATAVU/ȘTEFAN RADU) greets all meetings with St. Nicholas with an (overly wide) smile on his face, promptly taken down from the nail.
In an absolutely surprising role, MAIA MORGENSTERN is an explosive and insanely delicious Zița, while MARIUS MANOLE builds a Rică Venturiano rich in anxieties, threatening to shatter the honor of being a family man, while negotiating, both ridiculously and sensitively, his role in the small homeland, but especially in the larger homeland.
"The people sit at the table" in this staging where it is painted, plastered, built, eaten, and fought, and where everything mixes, from ideas, to feelings, to ingredients and relationships, giving flavor to a "Stormy Night" like never before seen.
A brisk and surprising show, of explosive comedy, that makes you think, with an exceptional cast – "A Stormy Night" is about national and personal values, about laughing at hardships, about patriots and family men, bigwigs and journalists who fight, but especially 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 – Master Dumitrache Titircă
GABRIEL VATAVU – Spiridon
Directed by: VLAD ZAMFIRESCU
Scenography: IMELDA MANU-JIPA
Assistant Director: MĂDĂLINA CIUPITU
