The Mysterious and Beguiling Musical, GOBLIN MARKET, Opens Todayst

The Aux Dog Performing Arts Space, the only live theater venue in Nob Hill, is pleased to announce its next production-GOBLIN MARKET, a dramatic musical fantasy based on the classic poem by the great Victorian poet, Christina Rossetti. The poem has been the subject of countless interpretations and is endlessly fascinating for audiences, in fact, the poem had a revival of interest in the late 20th century which continues to the present.

GOBLIN MARKET tells the story of two sisters, Lizzie and Laura, and of their encounter with goblin merchants and their forbidden fruit. "Come buy, come buy," they entreat. Laura succumbs to their call despite Lizzie's warnings. Lizzie must find the strength to save her sister by resisting these mythical creatures and their seductive but ultimately fatal attraction.

GOBLIN MARKET stars Lisa Fenstermacher as Laura and Kir Kipness as Lizzie under the direction of the Aux Dog's Producing Artistic Director, VJ Liberatori. "Along with Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Christina Rossetti is considered one of the Victorian period's greatest female poets," says Liberatori. "I directed this show when I was Artistic Director at Princeton Rep in New Jersey and I have always wanted to bring it to Albuquerque. I think the language is exceptionally beautiful and evocative, yet very accessible and the music adds another level to Rossetti's poetry."

Starting in 1982, it took four years on and off for composers Polly Pen and Peggy Harmon to adapt the 1859 poem for the stage. "I first was introduced to the poem at Ithaca College by my English professor. He took a class to read it out loud," said Pen back then. "I was enchanted and began to read it every Halloween with friends." First they broke the poem down into narration and dialogue and then arranged the scenes. Next came the music, mostly composed by Pen but also including Brahms and Charles Ives. "It intrigued me-whether I could get by with combining my music with Brahms and Ives. That takes gall!" Pen says.

Lisa Fenstermacher says this is the first time she has tackled verse. "I have stayed away from Shakespeare because the poetry is so challenging. But I have dived head first into this as a creative acting challenge and it's the most frightening and rewarding thing I have ever done as an actress," she says. "While I play Laura, deciding to do this role mirrors Lizzie's taking on the goblin men in order to save her sister. It's about facing what we fear and conquering it. In a sense, the character of Lizzie has become my role model," she says with surprise.

Kir Kipness says the music has provided the challenge for her. "Polly Pen has written lovely songs but they are not songs in the traditional sense of a Broadway musical. Instead, they are an extension of Rossetti's poetry and sort of weave in and out of the poem." The songs are so integral to this show that the actresses have spent two weeks of a five week rehearsal schedule solely working with Musical Director Nathaniel Flake. "While the poetry and the narrative are obviously integral to the performance of this piece, mastering the challenging musical score must take precedence in the rehearsal process at this point," she notes.

GOLBIN MARKET is a perfect example of the Aux Dog's dedication to bringing interesting and evocative theater to its audiences. The play was a hit off-Broadway when it was first presented and is being seen for the first time in Albuquerque. "I like both commercial and uniquely different theater. That is why we have presented shows like THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, THE GRADUATE and NUNSENSE," says Artistic Director Liberatori, "alongside more provocative productions such as Mr. Burns, RAPTURE/BLISTER/BURN and VENUS IN FUR. The connecting thread is always focused on excellent writing for the stage. GOBLIN MARKET is exactly the kind of theater that excites me and I think it will also captivate and excite audiences."

GOLBIN MARKET previews on Thursday, October 20th, with a pay-what-you-can performance. The opening is on Friday, October 21st, at 8 pm, and is a fundraiser to replace the vandalized signage outside the theater with specially priced tickets of $40. Following this performance will be an appropriate fruit pie and wine reception. Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm will feature the Aux Dog's 10@10 opening weekend pricing, meaning unsold tickets will be priced at $10 starting at ten minutes before the performance starts. The show runs until November 13th.

Tickets can be purchased on-line at auxdog.com or by calling (505) 254-7716. Aux Dog is located at 3011-3013 Monte Vista NE in Nob Hill. This play is unsuitable for children 12 and under.

A special free presentation on Christina Rossetti, her life and times, and the poem GOLBIN MARKET will be conducted by Sinae Kang from the University of New Mexico on Wednesday, October 12th at 6:30 pm and will include a punch and cake reception afterwards. Please call ahead for resrvations.

More News About Aux Dog Theatre Nob Hill

Aux Dog Theatre Nob Hill was just informed by Albuquerque the Magazine that we have again for the 4th year in a row been chosen TOP 5 BEST OF THE CITY for BEST PLACE TO SEE Live Theatre and Aux Dog also took a TOP 5 place for BEST THEATRE TROUPE. We are so proud to have again won this distinction.