The classic story told anew in this radiant visual feast
Herman Melville’s immeasurably influential novel is brought to life in this radiant stage production featuring seven actors, fifty puppets, video projections, a drowned orchestra and a life-sized whale. Renowned director Yngvild Aspeli stages this eye-popping visual adaptation of Melville’s classic book with the help of the endlessly inventive Norwegian theater company, Plexus Polaire.
Moby Dick is, on its surface, the simple tale of a whaling expedition, but the story’s haunting themes of unparalleled obsession lead us all to question the unexplained mysteries of life and of the human heart. In this groundbreaking production, the classic is reborn with a freshness and urgency that makes it truly unforgettable.
Info
Venue
Emerson Paramount Center
Robert J. Orchard Stage
559 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02111
Dates
Jan 23, 2024 - Jan 28, 2024
Tickets
Group Sales and Season Packages on sale, based on availability. See below for information on single tickets.
Tickets
At this time, some performances of Moby Dick may appear as SOLD OUT, however, we recommend that you continue checking back as tickets may be in flux and seating may become available at a later time.
Please note that for all sold out performances, our Box Office will begin a Wait List at the Paramount Theatre starting 1 hour prior to curtain. You must be physically present at the Box Office to be added to the Wait List and when your name is called to purchase tickets.
Join the discussion
Join us immediately after the conclusion of the Friday, JAN 26 performance of Moby Dick for a discussion of the piece and an open Q&A featuring Joseph Rezek, members of the Plexus Polaire artistic team, and moderated by Trish Fontanilla.
Joseph Rezek is Associate Professor of English and Director of the American & New England Studies Program at Boston University. He teaches and publishes widely in early American and nineteenth-century American literature.
Trish Fontanilla is a community engagement consultant who works with social impact startups, nonprofits, and educational institutions.
Artists
Directed by
Yngvild Aspeli
Assistant director (on tour)
Benoît Seguin
Assistant director (creation)
Pierre Tual
Inspired by
Herman Melville's novel
Actors and puppeteers
Julian Spooner, Sarah Lascar, Daniel Collados, Alice Chéné, Viktor Lukawski, Maja Kunsic and Andreu Martinez Costa.
Alternating with
Alexandre Pallu, Madeleine Barosen Herholdt, Yann Claudel, Olmo Hidalgo, Cristina Iosif, Scott Koehler, Laëtitia Labre.
Music
Guro Skumsnes Moe, Ane Marthe Sørlien Holen and Havard Skaset
Puppet makers
Polina Borisova, Yngvild Aspeli, Manon Dublanc, Sébastien Puech, Elise Nicod
Scenography
Elisabeth Holager Lund
Light Designer
Xavier Lescat and Vincent Loubière
Video Designer
David Lejard-Ruffet
Costume Designer
Benjamin Moreau
Light Technicians
Vincent Loubière or Morgane Rousseau
Video Technicians
Hugo Masson, Pierre Hubert or Emilie Delforce
Sound Technicians
Raphaël Barani, Simon Masson or Damien Ory
Stage Technicians
Benjamin Dupuis, Xavier Lescat or Margot Boche
Dramaturg
Pauline Thimonnier
Production Director and Tour Booking
Claire Costa
Administration
Anne-Laure Doucet and Gaedig Bonabesse
Producer
Noémie Jorez
Yngvild Aspeli
Artistic director of Plexus Polaire, Yngvild Aspeli, develops a visual world that brings our most buried feelings to life. The use of life-sized puppets is at the center of her work, but the actor’s performance, the presence of the music and the use of light and video are all equal elements in communicating the story. Director, actress, puppeteer and puppet-maker, Yngvild Aspeli studied at Ecole Jacques Lecoq in Paris (2003-2005) and at ESNAM (Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts de la Marionnette) in Charleville-Mézières (2005-2008). Within her French-Norwegian company Plexus Polaire, she has directed six shows: Signals (2011), Opera Opaque (2013), Ashes (2014), Chambre noire (2017), Moby Dick (2020) and Dracula (2022). She is currently working on an adaptation of A Doll’s House that will premiere in Autumn 2023.
Sponsored By:
Gallery
Photo Credit: Main Character Hand Raised - Credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage
Photo Credit: Moby Dick Plexus Polaire - Credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage
Photo Credit: Credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage
Photo Credit: Moby Dick Main Character - Credit: Ådne M. Gulbrandsen
Photo Credit: Moby Dick Plexus Polaire - Credit: Ådne M. Gulbrandsen
Photo Credit: Moby Dick Plexus Polaire - Credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage
Photo Credit: Moby Dick Plexus surrounded by men - Credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage
Photo Credit: Moby Dick Plexus Polaire - Credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage
Photo Credit: Moby Dick Plexus Polaire - Credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage
Photo Credit: Moby Dick Puppet - Credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage
Photo Credit: Whale Tail - Credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage
Photo Credit: The Fog - Credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage
Photo Credit: Resting in a hammock - Credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage
Photo Credit: Handing papers to the whaler - Credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage
“Gorgeous and disturbing…if there are tickets left to Moby Dick but you should try and get one as soon as possible.”
— Theater Mirror
“A transfixing display of technical virtuosity”
— The Boston Globe
“A creation of great poetic power, melancholic, visually stunning”
— UN FAUTEUIL POUR L'ORCHESTRE
“A stunning work of art”
— The New York Times
“MAGIC. The voice of the actors brings out beautiful passages from Melville’s text, the puppets bring the boat, the crew, the world of the depths to life. They are splendid, disturbing, foolish and bearers of death like Ahab.”
— SNES
May 21, 2024
Congratulations to Moby Dick and Plexus Polaire, Winner of a 2024 Elliot Norton Award!
ArtsEmerson wants to be the first to extend a huge congratulations to Plexus Polaire and their recent performance of Moby Dick, which has been awarded with the 2024 Elliot Norton...
Read MoreJanuary 25, 2024
ArtsEmerson Announces Touch Tour for Moby Dick’s Jan. 28 Performance
ArtsEmerson is pleased to announce that Plexus Polaire will facilitate a Touch Tour on Sunday, January 28, in conjunction with our Audio Described Performance. A Touch Tour gives patrons who...
Read MoreJanuary 21, 2024
Meet Plexus Polaire, The Troupe Behind Moby Dick!
ArtsEmerson is thrilled to be welcoming Plexus Polaire and their groundbreaking performance of Moby Dick to our stage on January 23, 2024! This show takes the classic tale of Captain Ahab...
Read MoreJanuary 12, 2024
History of Whaling in New England
Whaling has a strong history in New England, and that isn't just because of Herman Melville's Moby Dick. Colonial whaling in New England dates back to 1644, when the first...
Read MoreDecember 13, 2023
The Technical Feats of Moby Dick
ArtsEmerson's first show of 2024 will present a classic tale in a way never before seen, with seven actors, fifty puppets, a drowned orchestra, and a life-sized whale. It is...
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