Concrete Temple and Pontine to Premiere Works Inspired by Longfellow Poem

New York City's Concrete Temple Theatre joins Portsmouth's Pontine Theatre in the premiere of two original works inspired by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's epic story poem, Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie.

The first act of the program features Pontine's stage adaptation of the epic story poem and the second act features Concrete Temple Theatre's Remembering Evangeline, inspired by Longfellow's masterpiece. Pontine's stage adaptation continues through 8 May as a one act production.

Performances are offered Fridays @7:30, Saturdays @4 & Sundays @2. Tickets are $24 and may be purchased online at www.pontine.org. Pontine's West End Studio Theatre is located at 959 Islington Street, Portsmouth NH. The theatre is not visible from the street, look for the big 959 on the signpost at the head of the drive. Contact Pontine: info@pontine.org / 603-436-6660.

Born in Portland, Maine in 1807, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was a commanding figure in the cultural life of nineteenth-century America. His 1847 epic story poem is a tale of loss and devotion. Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie follows the lives of an Acadian couple, Evangeline and Gabriel, separated on their wedding day by the diaspora of the Acadian people. The British expulsion of the French-speaking inhabitants of Nova Scotia (1755-1764) occured during the French and Indian War. Most Acadian exiles were taken to rural communities in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and South Carolina. Many refused to stay where they were put and traveled about in an effort to reunite with family and friends. They migrated to colonial port cities where they gathered in isolated, impoverished French-speaking Catholic neighbourhoods. The idea for the poem came from Longfellow's friend, Nathaniel Hawthorne who told him about the diaspora. Evangeline became Longfellow's most famous work in his lifetime and remains one of his most popular and enduring works. The poem has had a powerful effect defining Acadian history and identity.

Evangeline is a work of fiction; Longfellow devised its heroine and her quest, as well as the scenery that she moves through. Factual or not, Longfellow's Evangeline became a huge success. Generations of American children read, memorized, and recited the poem. Schools, churches, inns, and many other businesses and social groups were named for the poem's heroine. Longfellow's Evangeline created a tourist industry in the lands of the Acadians.

To bring this poetic tale to life onstage, Pontine Theatre's two-person staging of Longfellow's masterpiece utilizes puppetry, storytelling, toy theatre and projected images, all created by Pontine Co-Director, Greg Gathers. Founded in 1977, Pontine Theatre is known throughout the region for its intimately-scaled productions based on the history and culture of New England.

Concrete Temple Theatre's Remembering Evangeline, inspired by Longfellow's poem, tells the story of a man who goes back for the woman he has left behind in Korea. It is an odyssey filled with teeth, tears, shoes and overwhelming love. Renee Philippi and Carlo Adinolfi are Co-Creators of the production which will be performed by Carlo Adinolfi, Sook Kim and Eun Sung Lee. The piece is directed by Renee Philippi, Lighting Design and Stage Managing is by Casey McLain. Concrete Temple Theatre is a multi-disciplinary company that creates compelling new theatre works, incorporating drama, the visual arts, puppetry, dance & music. The company strives to bring myth & ritual to the center of dialogue, while making connections & opportunities for diverse audiences to question & examine their place in the world.

Pictured: Concrete Temple Theatre performs Evangeline, Remembered

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