The Old Man and The Old Moon (Large Cast Edition)
PigPen Theatre Co.
The Old Man and The Old Moon
by PigPen Theatre Co.
Off-Broadway
Highlights
90 mins Ensemble Cast Reduced Casting (Doubling Possible) Expandable Casting Flexible Cast Size Room for Extras Bare Stage/Simple Set Fantasy Costumes
Synopsis
The Old Man has kept his post as the sole caretaker of the moon for as long as he (or his wife, the Old Woman) can remember.
When she is drawn away by a mysterious melody that sparks memories of their shared past, the Old Man must decide between duty (and routine) and love (and adventure).
Luckily for audiences everywhere, he chooses the latter, and what follows is an imaginative sea-faring epic, encompassing apocalyptic storms, civil wars, leviathans of the deep, cantankerous ghosts and the fiercest obstacle of all: change.
Press Reviews
"This is a story of time and tides and quests, the sort of fable on which mythologies and religions are founded... [PigPen] asks us to appreciate the finer arts of wild storytelling, while speaking to the childish mind in all of us."
— Ben Brantley, The New York Times
"Like all PigPen shows, it celebrates the power of imagination."
— TimeOut New York
"PigPen’s invigorating aesthetic, at least in this whimsically nautical tale, is something like a Redmoon or Building Stage spectacle multiplied by a Decemberists concert. The hero’s journey the guys set up for the titular cantankerous caretaker is loaded with charm, inventiveness and visual wit."
— TimeOut Chicago
"The kind of no-tech folktale theatre that melts your heart… Like their previous efforts, their first full-length production uses a winning combination of storytelling, shadow puppetry, Irish-tinged tunes and youthful vigor."
— TimeOut New York
Characters
| Character |
|---|
| THE OLD MAN An old man whose job it is to fill the moon with liquid light. His journey in pursuit of his missing wife forces him out of his complacent lifestyle. |
| THE OLD WOMAN An old woman who’s growing tired of her life filling the moon with her husband. She leaves her home in search of a forgotten memory. |
| MATHESON The first mate of the ship and the narrator of the tale. Matheson loves telling stories so much that he commands the attention of the audience and the respect of his sailors. |
| LLEWELLYN The youngest, somewhat naïve, spirited sailor whom the Old Man mentors and takes on as an apprentice towards the end of his journey. |
| MABELU A sailor who has a good sense of humor and the best of intentions. He lost his precious dog years ago. |
| CALLAHAN An ardent sailor. Never loses a fight. |
| COOKIE An unhinged cook. Might be afraid of fire. |
| CAPTAIN A fearless leader and most eloquent speaker. |
| PERRY A legendary hero of the imperial fleet. First Naval Lieutenant Pericles Llewellyn McWallander was thrown overboard by his mutinous crew. He now spends his days inside the belly of a “prison fish.” |
| CLERK Overwhelmed and unenthused each and every day at the boat shop. |
| MICKEY The clerk’s young assistant. Wears his grandfather’s hat to work. |
| SOLOMON A witty aeronautical engineer. Sibling of Bartley. |
| BARTLEY A witty aeronautical engineer. Sibling of Solomon. |
| DOG Her name is Lucy. Mabelu lost her years ago. |
| BARTENDER Goes by Bill but that’s not his real name. |
| PATRON Plays the piano but doesn’t take requests. |
| FINE LADY She lives in town. Has a secret. |
| REBEL ONE Rebel captain. Trying to avoid a fight. |
| REBEL TWO Rebel soldier. Trying to start a fight. |
| BOATSWAIN ONE A master boatswain. |
| BOATSWAIN TWO A boatswain’s apprentice. |
| BEN He has a store in town, but they’re currently sold out of everything. |
| GHOST SINGER A dead sailor with a penchant for cabaret. |
| THE YOUNG WOMAN The Old Woman, a long time ago. |
| ACTOR 1 |
+ 32 more characters
Videos
“Sail For Love” – The Old Man and the Old Moon
Publication
The Old Man and The Old Moon is a play written by PigPen Theatre Co. and published by Concord Theatricals .
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