Conceived, Directed and Choreographed by Stephan Koplowitz
Text adapted from the novel by David Lindsay-Abaire
Music: Andrew Warshaw
Lyrics: Andrew Warshaw and David Lindsay-Abaire
Costumes: Christianne Myers
Digital Slide images by Mark Boyer
Lighting: Jay Ryan
Sound Design: Richard Martinez
Music Produced by Andrew Warshaw and Richard Martinez
Performed by: Jay Longan, James Sasser, Gordon Grey, Lorree True, Samantha Ross, Frances Anderson, John Ponzio, Meyung Kim, Katie Workum, David Gochfeld, Julie Klein, Roxanne Ramsey and Michelle Rivers
WAR WITH THE NEWTS
(1998)
War With the Newts was a new work of theater/dance inspired by writer Karel Capek's 1936 novel War with the Newts, an allegorical story about a race of newts (salamanders) who take over the world. The newts become a sensation much like our X-files aliens. Benighted sea captains, Hollywood starlets, evil captains of newtopian finance, as well as a looming apocalypse, comprise
Capek’s satirical and prescient vision of political intrigue, Netownian economics and reptilia (r)evolution. War with the Newts incorporated theater, dance and song, and a multigenerational ensemble of thirteen actors and dancers performing over 40 different roles. Koplowitz collaborated with award winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire, who adapted the novel and wrote lyrics for the work with composer/lyricist Andrew Warshaw.
PRESS
“A cast of actors, dancers, singers, high school students and adults brings a great satiric fantasy to life: Karel Capek’s ‘War With the Newts,’ a Czech novel of 1936 about the attempts of a race of newts to take over the world. As the story unfolds, it becomes a sharp commentary on politics, economics, oppression and the arms race.”
--Jack Anderson, NYT 5/8/98
“A great satirical fantasy came to life on Friday night when Stephan Koplowitz and Company staged its adaptation of Karel Capek’s ‘War With the Newts’ at Dance Theater Workshop.... The episodic tale was told in less than two hours.... The production...moved forward with verve and its twists of plot were both giddy and grim.”
“Director-choreographer Stephan Koplowitz has unearthed a brilliant allegorical novel, ‘War With the Newts,’ written in 1936 by the Czech writer Karel Capek.... This musical theater adaptation, written by David Lindsay-Abaire and composed by Andrew Warshaw, boldly explores prejudice, morality, greed and exploitation.”
--Lisa Jo Sagolla, Backstage, 6/26/98