A STORMY NIGHT
National Theatre Bucharest - "Ion Caramitru" Hall
June 9, 2025, 8:00 PM
A masterpiece of Caragiale's genius, "A Stormy Night" is the ultimate bubbly, bittersweet, colorful, and flavorful x-ray of the Romanian spirit in all its facets, with good and... less (bad) ones.
In the new directorial key proposed by VLAD ZAMFIRESCU, we rediscover Caragiale's characters for today's world, with the fragrance 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" yearnings.
In this picturesque space, where the tumult from outside translates into an uncontrollable inner boil, the kitchen becomes the much-tried heart of the intimate universe. Master Dumitrache, played by NICULAE URS, is like a (master)chef of the house and table, carefully preparing the food, while still allowing the passionate Ipingescu, in the strong interpretation of MIRCEA RUSU, to test his culinary-political talents, even 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 tinged with style, elegance, and neighborhood betrayal, led by the cunning and charming Chiriac, played by VLAD ZAMFIRESCU, with great charm. Meanwhile, Spiridon (GABRIEL VATAVU/ȘTEFAN RADU) receives with a (too wide) smile all encounters with St. Niculae, taking down what falls off the hook.
In an absolutely surprising score, MAIA MORGENSTERN is an explosive and wildly delicious Zița, while MARIUS MANOLE builds a Rică Venturiano rich in anxieties that threatens to shatter the honor of a family man as he negotiates, both ridiculous and sensitive, his role in the small homeland, but especially the one in the great homeland.
"The people sit at the table" in this staging where painting, plastering, building, eating, and debating take place, and where everything mixes, from ideas to feelings, to ingredients and relationships, giving flavor to a "Stormy Night" like no other seen before.
A fast-paced and surprising show, with explosive comedy that makes you think, featuring an exceptional cast – it is "A Stormy Night" about national and personal values, about humor in adversity, about patriots and family men, wealthy people and journalists arguing, but above all about love, in its more or less... traditional forms.
The spectacular scenography is designed 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
Scenography: IMELDA MANU-JIPA
Assistant director: MĂDĂLINA CIUPITU
