Oceana
by Bonnie Cullum and Content Love Knowles | presented by the VORTEX Repertory Company
Reawaken
your love affair with the Ocean.
From the makers of Sleeping Beauty and Dark Goddess comes a spell-binding new theatrical work that celebrates stories of the Ocean. Follow the journey of “Child of the Gulf” as she encounters powerful oceanic deities and otherworldly spirits from diverse global mythologies. Join her as she meets the Mer (Maid and Men), the Sirens (Greek), Olokun (Yoruban/West Africa), the Selkie (Northern Scotland), Lakshmi (Hindu/India), Hine Moana (Maori/New Zealand), Sedna (Inuit/Arctic), Pele (Hawai’ian/Pacific Islands), and Chalchiuhtlicue (Nahua/Central Mexico). This extraordinary cast of mystical characters lures the spectator to dive deep and discover treasures within the history, magic, and exploration of the precious Ocean. All Oceans are one Ocean.
VORTEX Repertory Company--now celebrating its 21st season of stunning original work--presents the world premiere of Oceana by the award-winning collaborative team of Bonnie Cullum and Content Love Knowles. With dozens of original shows and compositions under their belts, Cullum and Knowles team up again for this extraordinary new work. In addition to writing the show, Cullum directs and Knowles serves as musical director.
With inspiring live music, magical intention, rich storytelling, and fantastical spectacle include a watery set by Ann Marie Gordon. Awe-inspiring lighting by Jason Amato. Fantasy costumes by Talena Martinez. Rain falling from the INSIDE of The VORTEX by Kenneth Gall. Sound by Roy Taylor. Oceana is an extraordinary feast for all of the senses.
Oceana features: Jennifer Coy, Brenna Pritchard, and Kimberly Pruit as the Sirens; Andy Agne, Jonathan Blackwell, Barton Bryan and Rachel Martsolf as the Mer; Betsy McCann as Child of the Gulf, Gabriel Maldonado as Olokun, Kira Parra as Lakshmi, Katherine Craft as the Selkie, Yvonne Reed as Hine Moana, Mindy Rast as Sedna, Karina Dominguez as Pele, and Kimberley Mead as Chalchiuhtlicue.
Last season, VORTEX received B. Iden Payne Awards for Outstanding Production of Musical Theater (Troades: The Legend of the Women of Troy) and Outstanding Director of Musical Theater (Bonnie Cullum), as well as Outstanding Ensemble for the Chorus of Troades and Outstanding Lighting for Jason Amato’s lighting of Troades. Now VORTEX presents a production of extraordinary imagination and beauty.
Oceana: Arts Review; Austin Chronicle
