AUTUMN SONG
[By George Maurer]
PROVINCETOWN TW THEATER FESTIVAL
Produced by Pine Curtain Productions *
Premiered 2012
The poems of Rainer Maria Rilke and
Tennessee Williams
This production originated in Minnesota, and after its premiere in Provincetown it toured to Mississippi in 2013 and Berlin in 2015.
In this moving song cycle by George Mauer, I imagined a meeting between Williams and Rilke. Music creates an interplay between the 19th century German poet and a 20th century American playwright, using only the indelible words in their poems.
Autumn Song begins in 1940 with a young Williams struggling with writer’s block, suffering the cruel pain of unrequited love in Provincetown. He turns to Rilke for insight, and by the final song, poetry unlocks Williams’ inspiration.
Maurer sets the words of the world-renowned writers to soaring jazz, gospel and art song that liberate the soul.
TEAM
Music | George Maurer
Lighting | Chuck Norwood
Costumes | Clare Brauch
Sound | Scott Malchow
Story & Direction | Jef Hall-Flavin
CAST
Rilke | Dieter Bierbrauer
Williams | Jared Oxborough
MUSICIANS
Piano | George Maurer
Bass & Vocals | Jeff Engholm
Cello | Diane Tremaine
Woodwinds | Rich Manek
Percussion | Pete Hennig
And when the world no longer knows your name
Say to the silent earth: I’m flowing
Speak to the rushing water and say: I AM
- Rilke, Sonnets to Orpheus I.xxix
* This production is available for booking
THE MUSIC OF AUTUMN SONG
PHOTO GALLERY
[Josh Andrus]
Autumn Song (2012) composed by George Maurer, directed by Jef Hall-Flavin. Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival. Photo by Josh Andrus.
Autumn Song (2012) composed by George Maurer, directed by Jef Hall-Flavin. Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival. Photo by Josh Andrus.
Autumn Song (2012) composed by George Maurer, directed by Jef Hall-Flavin. Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival. Photo by Josh Andrus.
Autumn Song (2012) composed by George Maurer, directed by Jef Hall-Flavin. Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival. Photo by Josh Andrus.
WHAT PEOPLE SAID
[CHERRY AND SPOON - MINNEAPOLIS]
It's a beautiful creation.
This is George's passion project, his Sistine Chapel. He has done a beautiful job of setting these poems to music of varying styles in a way that makes them most clear and alive. George and his band sound fantastic, and he could not have chosen two better singers than Jared and Dieter.
Jill Schafer
[COLUMBUS DISPATCH - MISSISSIPPI]
There was a rare and magical moment in Columbus last night with the presentation of Tennessee Williams' musical masterpiece "Autumn Song."
Imagine George Gershwin coming to town with some Broadway musicians,
along with Hugh Jackman and Michael Crawford. It was that good.
Bob Raymond