A STORMY NIGHT
June 10, 2025, 7:00 PM
A masterpiece of Caragiale's genius, "A Stormy Night" is the supreme, sparkling, bittersweet, colorful, and flavorful X-ray 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 a bygone 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 from 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, who carefully and ambitiously prepares the food, yet still allows the fiery Ipingescu, in the powerful interpretation of MIRCEA RUSU, to try his culinary-political talents, up 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 with a flavor of flair, embellishment, and neighborhood betrayal, which the crafty and charming Chiriac, played by VLAD ZAMFIRESCU, leads with great charm. Meanwhile, Spiridon (GABRIEL VATAVU/ȘTEFAN RADU) greets with a (too wide) smile all encounters with St. Niculae, knocking one or two down from the hook.
In an absolutely surprising score, MAIA MORGENSTERN is an explosive and madly delicious Zița, while MARIUS MANOLE builds a Rică Venturiano rich in anxieties, which threatens to pulverize familial honor, as he negotiates, both ridiculously and touchingly, his role in the small homeland, but especially in the great homeland.
"The people sit at the table" in this staging, where things are painted, plastered, built, eaten, and fought over, and in which 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 – this is "A Stormy Night" about national and personal values, about finding humor in hardship, about patriots and family men, snobs and journalists who argue, but above 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, while 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
