A STORMY NIGHT
Constanta Trade Union Cultural House - Main Hall
March 11, 2025, 19:00
A masterpiece of Caragiale's genius, "A Stormy Night" is the ultimate sparkling, bittersweet x-ray full of color and flavor of the Romanian spirit, in all its aspects, with good and... not so (good) ones.
In the new directorial vision proposed by VLAD ZAMFIRESCU, we rediscover Caragiale's characters for today's world, with the fragrance and emotion of a bygone neighborhood, resonating with Jean Moscopol's music, inviting us to experience, amidst the scents of spices and steaming food, among scaffolds, repairs, and cats meowing "stormily".
In this picturesque space, where the outdoor tumult boils into an uncontrollable interior storm, 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, preparing food with care and ambition, while also allowing the passionate Ipingescu, powerfully portrayed by MIRCEA RUSU, to try his culinary-political talents, even to the point of "eating the holy Constitution".
In the formidable CARMEN TĂNASE's scenic proposal, Veta is the keeper of cleanliness and order in this story with a hint of flair, style, and neighborhood betrayal, charmingly led by the cunning and enchanting Chiriac, played by VLAD ZAMFIRESCU. Meanwhile, Spiridon (GABRIEL VATAVU/ȘTEFAN RADU) meets every encounter with Saint Nicholas with an (overly wide) smile, quickly taking it down from its peg.
In an absolutely surprising role, MAIA MORGENSTERN is an explosive and delightfully crazy Zița, while MARIUS MANOLE builds a Rică Venturiano rich in anxieties, threatening to shatter the honor of a family man while comically and sensitively negotiating his role in the small homeland, and especially in the large one.
"The people sit at the table" in this production where there is painting, plastering, building, eating, and debating, where everything mixes, from ideas to feelings, ingredients to relationships, adding flavor to a "Stormy Night" unlike any seen before.
An alert and surprising show, explosively comedic, that makes you ponder with an exceptional cast – it is "A Stormy Night" about national and personal values, about finding humor amidst misfortune, about patriots and family men, snobs and journalists who debate, 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
Directed by: VLAD ZAMFIRESCU
Scenography: IMELDA MANU-JIPA
Assistant director: MĂDĂLINA CIUPITU
