Juan Darién: A Carnival Mass is a musical with music and lyrics by Elliot Goldenthal and a book by Goldenthal and Julie Taymor. The musical premiered Off-Broadway in 1988 in the former St. Clement's Church.Rothstein, Mervyn. "The Power of Theatrical Transformation Shown in Juan Darien", Playbill, November 22, 1996, accessed October 8, 2017 It was subsequently reworked and refined before playing on Broadway in 1996 at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, directed by Taymor.
Plot The musical, based on a modern fable of the same name by Horacio Quiroga, is set in the jungle in South America, with a jaunty skeletal Death ever present. Its story concerns an orphaned jaguar cub who is miraculously transformed into a human child by the compassion of a woman who has lost her own baby; the boy must then confront the savagery of human civilization. The production employs masked actors and puppets, and the score includes elements of Latin American folk music and the Requiem Mass.Juan Darién, Lincoln Center Theatre, accessed October 8, 2017 The piece was revived and toured extensively.Shewey, Don. "Film; United in Their Love of the Outsider", The New York Times, October 27, 2002, accessed October 8, 2017
History Goldenthal collaborated closely with the musical's director Julie Taymor, his romantic partner, to create a score that would complement their off-beat concept, blending musical styles with a carnival version of a Requiem Mass sung in Latin and Spanish, primal jungle calls, sharp-edged jazz and hints of minimalism. It was well received by critics. Goldenthal played the small role of Circus Barker/Streetsinger. The piece is sometimes described as a passion play.
Track listing Agnus Dei (2:02) Lacrymosa / Mr. Bones Fanfare (8:56) Jaguar Cub Approach (1:48) Mr. Bones' Two-Step (0:55) The Hunter's Entrance (1:37) Gloria (2:39) Initiation (1:11) A Round at Midnight (1:52) Sanctus (2:08) School (3:51) Recordare (4:12) Carnaval (7:45) Lullabye – Lyrics by Elliot Goldenthal (2:47) Trance – Lyrics by Horacio Quiroga (2:18) Dies Irae (12:17) Lacrymosa II / Retribution (3:32)
Crew/performers Music Composed by Elliot Goldenthal Recording Produced by Joel Iwataki Directed by Julie Taymor, Musical Direction by Richard Cordova Recorded and Mixed by Joel Iwataki Juan (Boy Soprano): Devin Provenzano Mother (Contralto): Andrea Frierson Toney Circus Barker/Streetsinger (Baritone): Elliot Goldenthal
Television broadcast A recording of a 1990 performance was broadcast in the UK on August 31, 1990.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13299018/reference/
Awards and nominations YearAwardCategoryNomineeResultRef.1997Tony AwardBest MusicalLefkowitz, David. "'Titanic', 'Ballyhoo' Win Top Tonys" playbill.com, June 1, 1997Best Original ScoreElliot GoldenthalBest Direction of a MusicalJulie TaymorBest Scenic DesignG. W. Mercier and Julie TaymorBest Lighting DesignDonald HolderDrama Desk AwardOutstanding MusicalOutstanding Scenic Design of a MusicalG. W. Mercier and Julie TaymorOutstanding Costume DesignOutstanding Lighting DesignDonald HolderOuter Critics Circle AwardOutstanding Revival of a Musical
References
External links The album at Goldenthal's website Juan Darién: A Carnival Mass at the Internet Broadway Database The album at the Sony Classical website