ABOUT THE SHOW

A reimagining of scenes from J.S. Bach's infamous "Coffee Cantata.” Combining elements of live classical music (voice, piano, flute), silent black & white film projections, clowning, audience interaction, live coffee brewing, wacky sound effects, and a blow-up doll wedding, this piece of epic proportions is equal parts technical mastery and caffeinated debauchery.

This show, actually composed by Bach (!), tells the story of a young woman, Liesgen, who gets swept up in the burgeoning coffee shop craze of 18th century Western Europe, much to the chagrin of her crotchety father, Schlendrian. Will Schlendrian succeed in putting a stop to Liesgen's obsession? Or will Liesgen outwit her father and keep drinking a beverage “lovelier than a thousand kisses?”

With lines like: “If I can’t drink my coffee morning, noon, and night, I would look a perfect fright - like a dried up nanny-goat!” and “Ach!” this show is guaranteed to bring joy and delight, or at least caffeine jitters.

Sung in German with English captions.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

CHAOS GOBLIN (Anna Slate, Ivan Tan, and Lisa Sailer) emerged from the depths of the Black Forest in 1714. Upon discovering a mystical energy field that would allow it to transcend time and space, it ranged widely throughout the universe, collecting mysterious artifacts and leaving behind a trail of mischief. Having absorbed the consciousness of multiple musicians and cats, it seeks to transmit its weird art to parts unknown…

LET CHAOS REIGN.

Anna Slate is a theater-maker, opera singer, clown & educator. Favorite roles include Charlotte in "Charlotte's Web" at Wheelock Family Theater, Choir Member in “Cold War Choir Practice” at Trinity Rep, and Chana in Wilbury Theatre Group's “Indecent.”

Equally at home playing classical piano or rocking out on a keytar, Ivan Tan is an Assistant Teaching Professor in Music at Brown University, where he teaches classes in music theory and songwriting.

Lisa Sailer created the videos and other media for this performance. She is a violist who teaches orchestra to lots of small children at Community MusicWorks, which is the best and funniest job in the world.