About This Show
East River Commedia and the Polish Cultural Institute present two carnivorous one-act parables by Slawomir Mrozek presented as part of the inaugural season of Collective: Unconscious’ new theater in TriBeCa. Serenade & Philosopher Fox is directed by Paul Bargetto.
Thinly disguised as animal fables, these plays present the character of “Fox,” a natural born killer with a conscience. In Serenade, Fox attempts to seduce the “hens” of a local henhouse with sweet music and rebel angst, under the beak of an overprotective “rooster.” The hens know what he really wants, but who can resist a self-confessed murderer?
Philosopher Fox, which premiered at the Malta International Theater Festival in Poznan, Poland last summer, brings us a Fox in search of redemption. On his way through the wood, Fox crosses paths with a Bishop taking a “breath of fresh air on a bench.” Seeking spiritual guidance, Fox attempts to hustle the Bishop into hearing his confession and granting him an indulgence–but the Bishop’s total silence demolishes Fox’s confidence and unleashes a crisis of faith with troubling consequences.