SYMPHONY OF RATS
In Symphony of Rats, a President of the United States is receiving messages by means other than the known senses, and he doesn't know whether to trust them or not.
— from the introduction to Richard Foreman’s play Symphony of Rats
The Wooster Group first produced Symphony of Rats at The Performing Garage in 1988, with Richard Foreman directing. In 2022, when we asked the famous avant-gardist if we could create an entirely new production from his text, he said, “You can do whatever you want! I hope it's completely unrecognizable.” And this time, with LeCompte and Valk directing, it will be . . .
Upcoming Performances
Nashville
OZ Arts Nashville
December 6 – 8, 2024
Info and tickets »
New York City
The Performing Garage
January 7 – 25, 2025
Info and tickets »
Production Credits
SYMPHONY OF RATS
From a play by Richard Foreman
Directed by Elizabeth LeCompte & Kate Valk
With Niall Cunningham,* Jim Fletcher, Ari Fliakos, Andrew Maillet, Tavish Miller, Michaela Murphy, Guillermo Resto
Production Design: Elizabeth LeCompte
Sound Design/Music: Eric Sluyter
Video Design: Yudam Hyung Seok Jeon
Lighting Design: Jennifer Tipton & Evan Anderson
Costume Design: Antonia Belt
Additional Sound & Video: Andrew Maillet
Assistant Director & Stage Manager: Michaela Murphy
Dramaturg: Matthew Dipple
Technical Director: Tavish Miller
Production Manager: Bona Lee (through 2023); Aaron Amodt (REDCAT 2024-present)
General Manager: Monika Wunderer
Producer: Cynthia Hedstrom
“The Door Song,” “The Human Feelings Song,” and “The Ice Cream Song”: new songs with music by Suzzy Roche; lyrics derived from Symphony of Rats by Richard Foreman; and arrangements by The Wooster Group.
Co-commissioned by piece by piece productions.
Special thanks to Richard Foreman, Antonia Belt, Wendy vanden Heuvel, Tom Shapiro, Rita Ackermann, and Hauser & Wirth.
Thanks to Allison Chomet, Fales Library, Hai-Ting Chinn, David Glista, David Sexton, and Joseph Silovsky.
The text of Symphony of Rats is available in Unbalancing Acts: Foundations for a Theater by Richard Foreman.
*Niall Cunningham appears through the courtesy of Actors Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Development of this piece is supported by: the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature; the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council; and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Photos by Spencer Ostrander.
Production History
2021 December 2 - 22: Rehearsals at The Performing Garage
2022 March 28 - April 15: Rehearsals at The Performing Garage
2022 October 13 - December 15: Rehearsals at The Performing Garage
2023 March 15 - April 4: Rehearsals at The Performing Garage
2023 May 16 - 31: Rehearsals at The Performing Garage
2023 September 11 - November 3: Rehearsals at The Performing Garage
2023 November 8 - 21: Work-in-progress showings at The Performing Garage
2023 November 27 - December 16: Rehearsals at The Performing Garage
2024 February 13 - March 26: Rehearsals at The Performing Garage
2024 March 27 - May 9: Performances at The Performing Garage
2024 October 18 - 23: Performances at REDCAT, Los Angeles
