The Loneliness of Either Or:
A Requiem for Joan of Arc
video by Aaron Cassara, from footage of a performance at the 2023 Brooklyn Folk Festival
Selected SONGS FROM THE SHOW
All songs were performed live at Flushing Town Hall on Dec 16th 2023, engineered by Steve Mecca, featuring:
Ali Dineen - piano & vocals; Amy Carrigan - vocals; Amelia Castillo - violin; Gregory Corbino - vocals; Miriam Elhajli - vocals; Sunder Ganglani - vocals & viola; Hannah Sassoon - cello; Eleonore Weill - vocals, hurdygurdy, recorder
& featuring the Jalopy Chorus
photo by Brian Geltner at the 2023 Brooklyn Folk Festival
ABOUT THE SHOW
This new work, a collaboration between songwriter/composer Ali Dineen and Brooklyn-based puppet troupe Boxcutter Collective, delves into the multifaceted layers of Joan of Arc's story as well as the composer's own life. The narrative unfolds through a rich tapestry of original music composed for piano, choir, and strings, providing a powerful vehicle for the themes of gender identity, feminism, betrayal, faith, and resilience.
“At its core, The Loneliness of Either Or is a musical meditation on the lesser known elements of Joan of Arc's life, such as her relationship to gender and prophecy. We are asking, where do we turn when our heroes, myths and gods betray us? And what we can learn from the the in-between places in our lives?” says Dineen. "Through the combination of original music, puppetry, and dance, we hope to offer the audience a visceral and emotional experience that transcends traditional storytelling.”
The music drives the emotional landscape of the production. Grounded in Dineen’s piano and voice, lush harmonies soar throughout, performed by a chamber choir, and bolstered by a volunteer chorus of 30 singers. In addition to the musical elements, The Loneliness of Either Or will feature puppet pageantry and dance to enhance the visual and symbolic aspects of the storytelling.
This production also tackles contemporary issues, drawing parallels between Joan's struggles and challenges faced by individuals today. By exploring themes of gender, feminism, and the complexities of faith, The Loneliness of Either Or seeks to engage audiences in a thought-provoking and relevant conversation. Drawing upon the works of scholars such as Sylvia Federici and Leslie Feinberg, as well as the songwriter’s own history, this piece asks us: where do we find hope and faith in a world full of contradictions and false prophets? The Loneliness of Either Or: A Requiem for Joan of Arc offers a theatrical event like no other, pushing boundaries and redefining the possibilities of live performance. Don't miss the opportunity to witness this groundbreaking production that brings Joan of Arc's story to life in a fresh and compelling way.
About Boxcutter Collective
The Boxcutter Collective is a Brooklyn-based puppet theater troupe made up of seven core members. The founding members met while working at the Bread and Puppet Theater, and after creating shows together for many years in different combinations, in 2016 they decided to formally band together to harness the power of puppet shows for the forces of good. Since then, Boxcutter has been relentlessly creating and performing new work including Caveman Ballet, Happyland! Now!!, Everything is Fine, Dimension Zero: Brain Robbers from Outer Space, and The Divinity Supply Company, a collaboration with Peter Schumann of the Bread and Puppet Theater. They have performed at many venues across New York City, including La Mama Experimental Theater Club, Amant Arts, Coney Island USA, Rubulad, and the Jalopy Theatre, where they are the resident theater collective. Boxcutter has also performed at the NYC International Puppet Fringe Festival, the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, and the Brooklyn Folk Festival. They are currently working on their first feature length film, How to Deal with Tantrums, coming to a screen near you in 2024.
@boxcutter_collective