What happens when you turn around and suddenly discover that you are an adult, longing for the child within? While surrounded by major life responsibilities, how do you differentiate between what is real love and what is just the illusion of love? How do you move forward when the one driving force-feeding your soul is nowhere to be found?
To me this is what makes NINE so deeply human – those primal questions that we all struggle with of “How did I get here?” and “What do I do now?”
With such a lush, brilliant book and lyrics, much like the Fellini film that inspired it, NINE encourages exploration of its subject, almost begging for bold and fresh storytelling. Like a film, Guido struggling with these questions is full of fantasy, flashbacks, sex, moments blending into one another always layering on top of him.
Using the vocabulary of movie making as my basis, directing this group of artists has been a joy. Watching them stretch into creative areas sometimes out of their comfort zone, crafting moments that startle and thrill is exciting. The marriage of musical theatre and staging it full of cinematic movement has been my goal. Having a collaborator as musically brilliant as Matthew Hosmer has been a personal gift I couldn’t be more grateful for. We have been crafting this production for months, measure by measure, moment by moment creating a joy for all the senses.
NINE has lived in my head for longer than I can remember, and I would be amiss if I didn’t acknowledge the directors who have inspired me with their bold, creative interpretations of this incredible work over the years. Thank you, Tommy Tune, Sam Mendes, and Andy Blankenbuehler! You all have given me the courage to go out on my own and create the NINE I needed to see as I ask the same questions of myself that Guido does. (if you look closely, you will see subtle nods to each of your wonderful productions).
What we have discovered during this process is that no one struggles alone with these questions. The key for me was giving the women empowerment in Guido’s life to challenge and help get him through this life crossroad.
