The Old Man and The Old Moon

About the Play

Writers Theatre is thrilled to collaborate with the young men of PigPen Theatre Co., who bring the story of The Old Man and the Old Moon to such brilliant, vibrant life that its New York production earned a coveted spot on multiple “Best of the Year” lists.

PigPen Theatre Co.'s new EP, "The Way I'm Running," is out now at major online music sellers, and via pigpentheatre.com

Video by StageChannel

Video by Luke Millett

The Old Man and The Old Moon premiered in New York City, at the Gym at Judson and was produced by Britt Lafield/BKL Productions, The PigPen Company, Aaron Glick, Ronnie Planalp/Deborah Taylor, and SoHo Playhouse, Inc.  The Old Man and The Old Moon was developed in part at New Writers. New Plays. at Vineyard Arts Project: Ashley Melone, Founder and Artistic Director

The Old Man and The Old Moon features music from the debut album “Bremen.”

Showtimes

Meet the Artists

	Alex Falberg* (The Old Woman and Others)
	Ben Ferguson* (Callahan and Others)
	Curtis Gillen* (Llewelyn and Others)
	Ryan Melia* (The Old Man and Others)
	Matt Nuernberger* (Mathson and Others)
	Arya Shahi* (Cookie and Others)
	Dan Weschler* (Mabelu and Others)

Stuart Carden (Co-Director)
Lydia Fine, USA (Designer)
Bart Cortright, USA (Designer)
Mikhail Fiksel, USA (Sound Designer)
Meredith Miller (Props Master)
David Castellanos (Stage Manager)
Elise Hausken (Assistant Stage Manager)

*Denotes a member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers

Reviews

“Charming and enthusiastic. A one-of-a-kind event.”
- Chicago Tribune 

“A whimsically nautical tale… loaded with charm, inventiveness and visual wit!”
- Time Out Chicago

“A clever…whimsical, artfully handcrafted show.”
- Chicago Sun-Times

“A delightful exercise in imagination, fantasy, and whimsy!”
- Chicagoland Theater Reviews

“This epic fable is imaginative storytelling at its best. An adventure well worth taking!”
– Chicago Critic

“Infectiously energetic [with] wildly creative stage pictures and a trove of sonic riches. A thoroughly enjoyable diversion!”
– Chicago Theater Beat

Special Events

From Page to Stage takes you inside the artistry of The Old Man and The Old Moon!

Writers Theatre and select North Shore libraries are proud to present the ninth annual From Page to Stage program.  This comprehensive series of special events, lectures, demonstrations and performances are designed to enhance and enrich your appreciation of The Old Man and The Old Moon by PigPen Theatre Co. 

All events are FREE of charge and open to the public.

Schedule of events

FROM PAGE TO STAGE KICKOFF – INTRODUCING PIGPEN THEATRE CO.!
Featuring: Writers Associate Artistic Director Stuart Carden and PigPen Theatre Co.
Thursday, August 22 – 7:00pm
Hosted by the Glencoe Public Library at Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe.
847-835-5056 | www.glencoepubliclibrary.org
All seven members of PigPen Theatre Co. join Associate Artistic Director (and Co-Director of The Old Man and The Old Moon) to discuss their highly-acclaimed collaborative artistic process and demonstrate how music, stagecraft and puppetry play a role in their unparalleled brand of storytelling. 

PERFORMANCE AND DIALOGUE: THE MOON IN MYTHOLOGY
Featuring: Writers Theatre Artists Kareem Bandealy and Julie Ritchey
Date Tuesday, August 27 – 7:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - 494 Laurel Avenue, Highland Park
847-432-0216 | www.hplibrary.org
Kareem Bandealy performs Italo Calvino’s “The Distance of the Moon” from the collection Cosmicomics.  This engaging exploration of the moon’s relationship to earth brings science and fantasy to life. Julie Ritchey, Assistant Director of The Old Man and The Old Moon, moderates, connecting  Calvino’s work to the play’s own moon mythology.

INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION: THE POWER OF SHADOW
How the Creative Use of Puppetry Amplifies Theatrical Mythology
Featuring: Writers Theatre Artist Meredith Miller, Designer & Performer of original object-based theatrical works
Tuesday, September 10 – 7:00pm
Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview
847-729-7500 | www.glenviewpl.org
Meredith Miller, Writers Theatre’s Puppet and Props Master for The Old Man and The Old Moon, leads a presentation and  demonstration on shadow puppetry as a vehicle for theatrical mythology, including a video presentation of PigPen Theatre Co.’s short film “Bremen” which showcases shadow puppetry techniques used in the show.

LECTURE: SPINNING YARNS AND TREADING THE BOARDS
The Connection of Storytelling Tradition and Theatrical Experience
Featuring: Rives Collins, Northwestern University Professor of Storytelling
Sunday, September 22 – 2:00pm
Wilmette Public Library - 1242 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 256-5025 | www.wilmettelibrary.info
Northwestern Professor Rives Collins uses PigPen Theatre Co.’s Tedx talk on storytelling technique as a launching pad to  delve into the storytelling tradition, with a focus on the age-old need to tell (and listen to!) stories, and how that oral tradition ties into the theatrical experience.

LECTURE: THE EVOLUTION OF MYTH
Theatrical Mythology through the Ages
Featuring: Dorothy Andries, celebrated critic
Thursday, September 26 – 7:00pm
Northbrook Public Library - 1201 Cedar Lane, Northbrook    
847-272-2958 | www.northbrook.info
Dorothy Andries, a long time performing arts feature writer, editor and critic, investigates the use of mythology over the course of theatre history, and how theatrical mythology has evolved into current playwriting and performance methods.

PERFORMANCE: SING ME A STORY
How Folk Music Contributes to the Storytelling Tradition
Featuring: Writers Theatre Artists Erik Hellman and Julie Ritchey
Sunday, September 29 – 12:00 p.m.
Winnetka-Northfield Park Public Library - 768 Oak Street, Winnetka
847-446-7220 | www.winnetkalibrary.org
Writers Theatre artist and folk musician Erik Hellman teams up with The Old Man and the Old Moon Assistant Director Julie Ritchey for an event featuring live folk music and discussion on the tradition of music in storytelling and theatre.