Two unique works celebrating the life force of powerfully spirited women. For the first time, Pauline Oliveros’ Intensity 20.15: Grace Chase written for and performed by MacArthur Award and Avery Fisher prizewinning flutist Claire Chase, and Winsome Brown’s poignant and hilarious play This is Mary Brown will be offered together as companion pieces.
Claire Chase: “The most important flutist of our time.” – The New York Times
Winsome Brown: “Ms. Brown is engrossing.” – The New York Times
Intensity 20.15: Grace Chase is a moving and genre-bending work of music, theatre, and storytelling. Composed by Pauline Oliveros from texts by Chase’s grandmother, it is an intimate and revelatory piece for flutes, text, and Expanded Instrument System, a sound processing system invented by Oliveros. Levy Lorenzo accompanies. Winsome Brown directs this new staging.
Winsome Brown’s monodrama This is Mary Brown is a funny and tender exploration of family, addiction, life, and death. The New York Times called it, “Lovely. Genuine, touching, quietly affecting.” The Scotsman called it, “Warm and funny. Beautiful. Inspiring.” PS21 is pleased to present this new version of the play.
Chase and Brown have been friends for 15 years. These pieces mark the first time they have made art from their own family stories. Join us for an evening of friendship, music, and theatre.
IN RESIDENCY NOVEMBER, 2023
Developing genre-defying musical and dramatic works grounded in family history and relationships, both stage-directed by Obie-Award winner Winsome Brown. Pauline Oliveros’ Intensity 20.15 is voiced by flutist Claire Chase and based on the poetry of Grace Chase. This Is Mary Brown dramatizes the story of the actor’s charming, eccentric, troubled mother.
Intensity 2015: Grace Chase
By Pauline Oliveros
Flutes, text: Claire Chase
Expanded Instrument System: Levy Lorenzo
Original Lighting by Nick Houfek
Directed by Winsome Brown
Runtime 25 minutes
Intermission
This is Mary Brown
Written & Performed by Winsome Brown
Directed by Brad Rouse
Runtime 55 minutes
Join Claire Chase and Winsome Brown in Conversation following the performance.
