Carmen, The Mopera

With support from the Cultural Affairs Committee, THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE welcomes internationally known actress and physical comedian Julie Goell for a performance of her one-woman show CARMEN, THE MOPERA, and three day residency.

WHEN: Performance of “Carmen, The Mopera” Wednesday Dec. 3 at 5 p.m., and three workshops entitled “Tools for the Comic Performer” Dec. 2, 4 & 5 from 1 – 4 p.m.

WHERE: Russell Hall on the University of Southern Maine’s Gorham Campus

TICKETS: Students FREE, Seniors/Faculty/Staff/Alumni $10, General public $14

BOX OFFICE: (207) 780-5151

• Julie Goell’s “Carmen, The Mopera” is a fresh, and physically comic, take on the famous 19th century opera “Carmen” by Georges Bizet about a fiery Spanish gypsy who comes to a tragic end. In Goell’s vision, the bathroom matron of the Royal Opera stages a single-handed extravaganza in a utility room, with mops and brooms taking on starring roles and singing all the highlights. Zany comedy meets opera in this one-woman show.

• Julie Goell’s three-day workshop residency “Tools for the Comic Performer’ will explore the physical and comedy techniques seen in “Carmen, The Mopera” in four parts. The first deals with becoming comfortable on stage by learning to make an effective entrance. This includes the comic “button.” Second, students will discover the funny side of physically negotiating a sticky situation. The third part will investigate the comic opportunities when tables are turned on a pair of characters. Finally, students will learn about “flash” theatre technique, which utilizes vocal sound effects, miniaturization and quick costume changes.

• Julie Goell grew up in Rome, Italy where she studied Italian, Bel Canto and Commedia dell' Arte. As a Physical comedian in Europe, she toured with I Gesti and taught physical comedy skills at L’Istituto per lo Studio Dello Spettacolo where she received teacher certification. She recently served as Henson Foundation Artist-in-Residence at the University of Connecticut's Puppet Arts Program. She frequently teaches with her husband Avner Eisenberg, a.k.a. “Avner the Eccentric.”