Veronica, In Bed

Shaking the Tree Theatre
December 6th-7th @ 7:30pm
Directed by Štěpán Šimek
Written by Briana Ratterman Trevithick
Featuring the work of Musica Universalis (Laura Kuhlman, Esther Saulle, Paul Martin Beck, and Jeffrey Reynolds), Madeline Ross and Duffy Epstein

Join us for Veronica, In Bed, a dynamic work-in-progress showing that merges Briana Ratterman Trevithick's fresh script with historical texts by Veronica Franco herself. This production digs into the tangled relationships between sexuality, power, and survival through the life of Veronica Franco, a 16th-century poet courtesan, and in some ways an early Renaissance "influencer." At its core, it is an exploration of our timeless need for connection, examining how our methods and means of connecting evolve, yet the underlying human drive remains constant.

Featuring key staged selections guided by director Štěpán Šimek, the performance combines Renaissance music and opera, the captivating vocals of Madeline Ross, puppetry, and cutting-edge media elements by Trevor Sargent, including live video feeds, projections, social media, and AI manipulation. Audiences will be transported between eras as they explore the tools of power and survival, as well as the persistent desire for influence.

We invite the audience to stay after the show for a brief discussion to share their thoughts.