A STORMY NIGHT

Buzau County Council Hall

May 27, 2025 at 19:00

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 (un)good.

In the new directorial interpretation proposed by VLAD ZAMFIRESCU, we rediscover Caragiale's characters for today's world, with the perfume and emotion of an old neighborhood, where the music of Jean Moscopol resonates, inviting us to delve into aromas of spices and steaming food, among scaffolding, repairs, and cats meowing their "stormy" longing.

In this picturesque space, where the tumult outside gives way to an uncontrollable inner boil, 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 and ambitiously preparing the food, while allowing the fiery Ipingescu, in the powerful performance by MIRCEA RUSU, to try his culinary-political talents, up to the point of "eating the holy Constitution".

In the scenic proposal by the formidable CARMEN TĂNASE, Veta is the guardian of cleanliness and order in this story tinged with style, flair, and neighborhood betrayal, which the sly and charming Chiriac, played by VLAD ZAMFIRESCU, navigates with much charm. Meanwhile, Spiridon (GABRIEL VATAVU/ȘTEFAN RADU) greets every meeting with St. Niculae with a (too wide) smile, knocking it down from the hook once or twice.

In an absolutely surprising performance,  MAIA MORGENSTERN is an explosive and deliciously mad Zița, while MARIUS MANOLE builds a Rică Venturiano rich in anguishes, threatening to shatter family honor as he negotiates his role in the little homeland, but especially in the big homeland, both ridiculous and sensitive.

“The people sit at the table” in this staging, where it is painted, plastered, constructed, eaten, and debated, mixing everything from ideas, to feelings, to ingredients and relationships, giving flavor to a “Stormy Night” like no other seen before.

A lively and surprising show, with explosive humor, 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, boasters and journalists who debate, but most of all 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