A STORMY NIGHT
National Theatre "Marin Sorescu" Craiova
April 29, 2025, 8:00 PM
A masterpiece of Caragiale's genius, „A Stormy Night” is the supreme bubbly, bittersweet, colorful and flavorful radiography of the Romanian spirit, in all its aspects, both good and... less (or more) good.
In the new directorial interpretation proposed by VLAD ZAMFIRESCU, we rediscover Caragiale's characters for today's world, with the scent and emotion of a bygone neighborhood, where the music of Jean Moscopol resonates, inviting us to enter, amidst the aromas of spices and steaming food, among scaffolding, repairs, and cats meowing their “stormy” lament.
In this picturesque space, where the turmoil outside boils into an uncontrollable internal frenzy, the kitchen becomes the much-tried heart of the intimate universe. Jupân Dumitrache, played by NICULAE URS, is like a (master)chef of the house and the table, carefully preparing food with ambition, while allowing the fiery Ipingescu, played powerfully by MIRCEA RUSU, to try his culinary-political talents, up to the point of “eating the holy Constitution.”
In the staging proposal of the formidable CARMEN TĂNASE, Veta is the guardian of cleanliness and order, in this story with a flavor of pretense, finery, and neighborhood betrayal, which the sly and charming Chiriac, played by VLAD ZAMFIRESCU, leads with great charm. Meanwhile, Spiridon (GABRIEL VATAVU/ȘTEFAN RADU) greets every encounter with St. Niculae with a (too wide) smile, having put it on the hook in the first place.
In an absolutely surprising performance, MAIA MORGENSTERN is an explosive and deliciously crazy Zița, while MARIUS MANOLE builds a Rică Venturiano rich in anxieties, threatening to undermine the honor of a family man, while negotiating, both ridiculous and sensitively, his role in the small homeland, but especially in the great homeland.
“The people sit at the table” in this production where everything is painted, plastered, built, eaten, and fought over, and where all mixes, from ideas to feelings, to ingredients and relationships, giving flavor to a “Stormy Night” like none seen before.
A lively and surprising show, with explosive comedy that makes you ponder, featuring an exceptional cast – it is “A Stormy Night” about national and personal values, about humor in misfortune, about patriots and family men, wealthy individuals and journalists who contend, but especially about love, in its more or less... traditional forms.
The spectacular set design 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
Director: VLAD ZAMFIRESCU
Set Design: IMELDA MANU-JIPA
Assistant Director: MĂDĂLINA CIUPITU
