"The Brother and the Bird" by Alissa Nutting first appeared in My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me: Forty New Fairy Tales edited by Kate Bernheimer (Penguin Books, 2010).
Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30pm Sundays at 5pm Running time 60 minutes *Seating is very limited* *WARNING* There is one instance of fog in the play
"An absolute triumph...This is a stunning, disturbing, and altogether superb piece of theatre."
"This is stunning work -- visceral and funny and startling and sad -- often all at the same time. It is what theatre can do that no other form can quite pull off. Congratulations to all of you -- wonderful cast, fabulous score as well as very effective use of film and video." "The way this play isolates and engages the senses is theater at a whole new level!" "Another dark fairytale hits the stage this spring, courtesy of one of Portland's most exciting theater companies Shaking the Tree." -Suzette Smith, Portland Mercury's Spring Arts Guide Read the full write up HERE (Scroll down to the Theatre & Performance section)
About The Juniper Tree by the Brothers Grimm
The Juniper Tree unfolds with the hopeful anticipation of a childless couple longing for a family. Yet, when their fervent wish is granted and a son is born, tragedy strikes as the mother's overwhelming joy leads to her untimely demise. Honoring her final wish, she is laid to rest beneath the Juniper Tree. However, the father's remarriage brings a sinister turn, as his new wife's jealousy of her stepson gives way to a descent into darkness. What ensues is a chilling saga of deception, violence, and vengeance, challenging the possibility of a happily ever after.
Originally penned by the Brothers Grimm and collected in their "Children’s and Household Tales," "The Juniper Tree" is a cornerstone of German folklore. Initially criticized for its unsuitability for children due to its grisly content, the tale stands as a testament to the Grimm Brothers' unflinching portrayal of human nature. Notorious for its macabre themes of cannibalism and murder, "The Juniper Tree" remains a haunting reminder of the darker facets of fairy tales.
My mother, she killed me, My father, he ate me, My sister, she saved my bones, Tied them in a silken scarf, Laid them beneath the juniper tree tweet, tweet…
About The Brother and the Bird by Alissa Nutting
In Alissa Nutting's adaptation of the Grimm fairy tale "The Juniper Tree", key elements of the original story are preserved while offering a fresh perspective. The stepmother is portrayed as a cleaning fanatic who instills fear, and the father is depicted as loving yet distant, mourning his first wife. In this retelling, the mother still performs heinous acts and coerces her daughter into assisting with concealing them, but magical events begin to unfold under the juniper tree, and as in most fairy tales, justice finally prevails. Does the daughter descend into madness, or are the mysterious flapping noises and disturbing radio broadcasts more of the magic of the tree? Nutting's adaptation maintains the tale's timeless themes while adding complexity and a hint of melancholy, capturing the essence of classic fairy tales with captivating storytelling.
Cast
Marlene Sammy Rat Rios Mother Briana Ratterman Trevithick Voice of the Storyteller Vana O'Brien
Sammy Rat Rios
Briana Ratterman Trevithick
Creative
Director & Set DesignerSamantha Van Der Merwe Stage ManagerNatasha Stockem DramaturgPancho Savery Music Director/ComposerSammy Rat Rios Lighting DesignerAbby Jaquin Sound DesignerMatt Wiens Costume DesignerPaige A. Hanna Film Creation Ethan Van Der Merwe Video Engineer Jared Jonas Technical DirectorNate Raphael Master Carpenter/ Scenic PainterHarrison Fonk Front of House ManagerKai Hynes
The Brother and the Bird is generously supported by our major donors; Ronni Lacroute, Jessie Jonas, Anonymous, and Ellyn Bye. We'd also like to thank the foundations listed below, members of Shaking the Tree's Board, as well as many other individual supporters. To support this show, or any others in our season, please visit our SUPPORT page.