Critically-Acclaimed Production of John Jarboe’s ROSE Arrives at La Mama ETC as part of 2024 Under the Radar Festival

“Cannibalism isn’t usually a hit topic for live performance, but Jarboe embraces the surprise factor with silly, introspective glamor.” – Philadelphia Inquirer

NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, November 13, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Once upon a vine, John Jarboe’s aunt revealed that John not only had a twin sister in the womb, but that John consumed her: “You ate her. That’s why you are the way you are.” This was a lot for John to swallow! This January, Jarboe’s "Rose: You Are Who You Eat" will have its New York debut at La Mama ETC as part of the 2024 Under the Radar Festival after a critically-acclaimed, sold out run at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. Conceived, written, and performed by Jarboe, and directed by MK Tuomanen, the strictly limited engagement, January 10-14, 2024, is part of the show’s Co-World Premiere with Woolly Mammoth, CulturalDC, and FringeArts.

“I’ve been working on this project with Works & Process at the Guggenheim since spring 2020, but in a way, I have been working on it since conception,” noted Jarboe. “It’s been a long process of digestion and one I’m ready to share with people in live space. 'Rose' is the most personal piece I’ve worked on. I think it’s a step deeper and forward for me in my artistic process and for me as a human. It’s a healing ritual of sorts that I hope will do for the audience what it is doing for me.”

A true story of gender cannibalism, set to music, "Rose: You Are Who You Eat" is a heartfelt and humorous musical shrine to Jarboe’s consumed twin, named Rose. Jarboe welcomes audience members into a feast of gender through song, storytelling, and a full plate of wordplay. The show features original music written in collaboration with Emily Bate, Daniel de Jesús, Pax Ressler, and Be Steadwell, an all-queer composer team.

“As queer folx, however we identify, we are always in dynamic tension between being who we are authentically and the tyranny of respectability: fitting in by making ourselves more palatable, more recognizable to a cis-het society in order to get through the day, escape harassment, and for some of us, just to survive,” added Jarboe. “I don’t pass. I don’t fit into a clean, commercialized narrative of transition. What I love about the story of 'Rose,' is that it is unmistakably disrespectful, pretty tasteless, and entirely me.”

Jarboe (she/her) is the founding artistic director of The Bearded Ladies Cabaret, a Philadelphia-based company, now fourteen years old. She has directed and written original work performed at La Mama ETC, Joe’s Pub, Opera Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Wilma Theater, Guggenheim’s Works & Process, and Lincoln Center's American Songbook Series. As a director, Jarboe has directed and helped create shows for Cookie Diorio, legendary Mezzo Stephanie Blythe, and for Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo. As a writer and performer Jarboe has toured to Paris, Poland, New Zealand.

"Rose" was commissioned by Works & Process and developed in collaboration with The Bearded Ladies Cabaret. The work was created during the pandemic in Works & Process bubble residencies at Mount Tremper Arts and Bethany Arts Community, with the support of the Mellon Foundation and Doris Duke Foundation. Early iterations of Rose were presented by Works & Process in the Guggenheim Rotunda (2021) Guggenheim Theater (2022), and CulturalDC (2022). This version of "Rose" had a sold-out run at Philadelphia's FringeArts festival in September 2023. Next, it will have a run at DC's Woolly Mammoth theater in June 2024, part of the Co-World Premiere. An art installation drawing from the same inspiration point and led by Jarboe will take place from Spring–Fall 2024 at Philadelphia's Fabric Museum and Workshop.

Tickets
Are available by visiting www.utrfest.org

Service Details
La Mama ETC and Under the Radar Presents
Rose: You Are Who You Eat
Conceived, Written, and Performed by John Jarboe
Directed by MK Tuomanen
Produced by The Bearded Ladies Cabaret with Jecca Barry
Theatrical Co-World Premiere with Woolly Mammoth, CulturalDC, & FringeArts
From a commission by Works & Process at the Guggenheim
Part of the 2024 Under the Radar Festival
January 10-14, 2024
66 E. 4th Street

Cast/Crew
In Collaboration With The Bearded Ladies Cabaret and Fringe Arts
Director: MK Tuomanen
Producer: Jecca Barry
Music Director: Emily Bate
Scenic and Video Designer: Christopher Ash
Costume Designer: Rebecca Kanach
Lighting Design: Kate McGee
Sound Designer: Taylor Jedlinski
Production Manager: Calvin Anderson
Stage Manager: Nic Labadie-Bartz
Additional Dramaturgical Support: Sally Ollove
Compositions by Emily Bate, John Jarboe, Daniel de Jesús, Pax Ressler, Be Steadwell
Arrangements by Heath Allen, Emily Bate, Daniel de Jesús, Pax Ressler, and Be Steadwell

Musicians
Guitar: Emily Bate
Keys: Pax Ressler
Cello: Daniel de Jesús
Drums: Mel Regn

Where Rose is Blooming Next
The Rose Garden
Exhibition created in collaboration with the Fabric Workshop and Museum
Spring 2024ーFall 2024

Rose: You Are Who You Eat
Woolly Mammoth Theater Company, Washington, D.C.
June, 2024
Accompanying Installation with Cultural D.C. Mobile Art Gallery, Spring 2024

The Bearded Ladies Cabaret
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