David Cantor, Cassandra Bissell, and Jonathan Bock in My Name is Asher Lev. Photo Credit: Michael Brosilow.
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Music and Visual Art in New Age and Onstage
The tradition of ekphrasis, or literary interpretation of visual art, is a recurring motif in poetry, fiction, and dramatic writing alike. The idea of ekphrasis has also been expanded to include works inspired by music or other art forms. In New Age, visual art and music become additional characters in the play, highlighting and illustrating the lives of these women and their quest for agency, selfactualization, and freedom to express themselves. Orlandersmith’s work often uses music, art, or poetry as tools for artistic expression and an important part of understanding her characters. In New Age, the ways that art and music are centered are key to the very existence of each character. Cass finds solace in the halls of The Metropolitan Museum of Art; Lisette is a writer, not only as a career, but in her very soul; Candy has now abandoned her dream of acting or performing; 6
and Liberty punctuates the entire story and her life with powerful guitar riffs. While these women have different backgrounds, ages, and lives, their connection to the power of art resonates through all of their stories. Music and visual art have been key elements in many plays in the theatrical canon. While musical theater and opera are genres of their own in which music is a central part of the story, the influence of music can also be seen in “straight” plays or plays with music. The same can be said about the appearance of visual art and artists as inspiration for theatrical works. At Milwaukee Rep, musicals and musical revues abound on our stages, especially in the Stackner Cabaret, but many plays we produce embrace the power of art, artists, music, and musicians as well.
New Age – PlayGuide
