Br’Er Rose

Br’er Rose is a reimagining of the earliest version of Grimm’s fairytale Brier Rose (Sleeping Beauty), set in a fictional swamp inspired by the Louisiana bayou. In this retelling of the classic tale, our ensemble explores the relationship(or lack thereof) of the king and queen to the magic in their kingdom. We take a look at themes of how we live with our magic, the difference between giving lip-service to the divine or mystical in your life and embracing it, how that relates to class and our relationship to the land. We also look deeper into the role of the "wicked" fairy, the prince, and the agency of Rose in her own curse. This piece is movement-heavy with some narration, drawing on the principles of mask and physical theatre, and using stylized makeup and costume to create a rich visual world. By placing this on the backdrop of the Louisiana bayou, we draw inspiration from the natural magic of that place. Using elements of voodoo, the rich aesthetic history of plantation homes, and the living mystery that is the bayou itself we build a world where kings live alongside magical fish, and where the faeries that we live with, and how we acknowledge them affects every aspect of our lives. Br’er Rose is a site-specific and immersive collaboration with Portland’s only underground arts venue, The Steep and Thorny Way to Heaven, bringing high-quality independent art to inner southeast industrial. Fridays and Saturdays March 6, 7, 13, 14 Sunday March 8th 8pm Show, 7:30pm Doors (no late seating) **Not recommended for children under 12** $18 advance limited standing room rush