Academy’s Mudd Butts: 27th Year Based on “Don Quixote”

03 Aug Academy’s Mudd Butts: 27th Year Based on “Don Quixote”

Sally and Kim working with their cast and young team

Two classics, Alexandre Dumas’ “The Three Musketeers (1844) and Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” (1884), include direct references to the novel widely considered among the greatest works of fiction ever penned.

“Don Quixote,” fully titled “The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha,” by Miguel de Cervantes, follows the adventure of Alonso Quijano, a slightly mad and aging member of the Spanish aristocracy, who sets out on a quest to revive chivalry under an adopted handle, Don Quixote. His faithful sidekick and squire is a simple farmer, Sancho Panza, whose earthy wit is in sharp contrast to the Don’s flowery orations on the virtues of knighthood.

What’s it all about?

Written after the expulsion of Jews and Muslims from Spain, Cervantes, who had Jewish ancestry, was clearly attacking the Catholic church, the Spanish Inquisition, and the ruling Spanish Catholic nobility. Another spin on the masterpiece, which adroitly walks a tightrope between tragedy and comedy, suggests the work glorifies fantasy over reality. Over time, “Don Quixote” became an adjective used to describe anyone guided more by ideals than by practical considerations.

“The tale of Don Quixote reminds us that we must celebrate imaginative and individual thinkers of the world. Quixote dreams big. Although he sometimes confuses dreams for reality, we should all be inspired by his unwavering determination as he follows his mission,” said the co-directors Sally Davis and Kim Epifano, co-directors of the Mudd Butt Mystery Troupe.

The 27th annual Mudd Butts, a Telluride Academy production, is based on an adaptation of “Don Quixote,” written by Sally, Kim, Clay Frohman and the kid and based on an interpretation by Emily Klion and Danny Duncan, two San Francisco-based artists. This year’s extravaganza takes place at the Michael D. Palm Theater Friday, August 9, 6 p.m. and Saturday, August 10, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. The annual fundraising auction of amazing handmade props created by artist Mike Stasiuk –  masks, puppets, wind mills, horses, donkeys, giant loaves of bread and more – happens Saturday night after the final performance. The show is for dreamers of all ages.

“Our show this year is filled with delicious song, wonderful dances and characters. (And we added a few new characters discovered through improvisation.) Audience members can expect to go on a theatrical journey sprinkled with humor, profound meaning, and surprise. And we are thrilled to be working with screenwriter and musician, Clay Frohman; musician and inventor of experimental musical instruments, Bart Hopkin; and intern and Mudd Butt alumna, Emma Isaacs,” added Sally and Kim.

This year’s cast includes:

Jolie-Priest, Merchant
Ava- Flying Narrarator, Dr. Carasco/ Knight of Mirrors
Zach- Don Quixote/ Cervantes
Izz- Housekeeper, Senora Paprika
Anabel- Innkeeper #1, Puppeteer #1, Actor #2
Siena- Dulcinea (Francesca/Alonzo), Raven, Sancho, Puppeteer, Actor #1 Opening
Delilah- Niece/Marta, Katie D, Butler, Merchant
Julian- Senor Pedro, Peter Puppeteer, Flamenco Guitarist, Actor Opening, Muleteer #4
Chloe- Muleteer #1, Actor #4, Baker #4
Laila-Peasant Woman #1, Puppeteer #2, Actor, Koko, Peasant Woman #4, Puppeteer #5,Muleteer #3
Zelle- Duchess, Baker #3
Lucy- Dorthea, Spice Trader #1
Emmy- Young Peasant Boy, Puppeteer #4
Louise- Duke, Spice Trader #6
Zoe- Innkeeper #2, Spice Trader #5
Soren- Barber, Spice Trader #4
Katy J- Actor/Makeup, Peasant Woman #3, Spice Trader #3
Layla- Peasant Woman #1, Spice Trader #2
Shen- Muleteer #2, Baker #1, Actor #5, Flamenco #1 and 2

Purchase tickets at the door $12/adult and $5/children under 12.

About Mudd Butts:

The Telluride Academy’s Mudd Butts Mystery Theater Troupe is an intensive drama workshop founded by co-directors Sally Davis and Kim Epifano. The month-long intensive covers all aspects of theater from script and songwriting to marketing. Kid also learn invaluable life lessons, among them, how to laugh at themselves and ways to navigate the minefield of group dynamics. The original troupe took its name from its annual initiation and to this day, young thespians slide on their derrieres down Telluride’s Coronet Creek resulting in, you guessed it, muddy butts.

For more information, contact the Telluride Academy 970-728-5311

AND

Watch Clint Viebrock’s video featuring Sally and Kim talking about their troupe based on the 2009 production, “Fears of Your Life.”