2022-23 SEASON

Animal Farm

From the book by George Orwell
Adapted by Peter Hall
Lyrics by Adrian Mitchell
Music by Richard Peaslee

August 28 - October 2, 2022

Performance Dates:
August 28 - October 2, 2022

Show Run Time:
2h:00min | 15min intermission

Patron Guide:
Animal Farm

About performance

A highly theatrical musical adaptation of Orwell’s savage satire filled with biting humor and stunning timeliness.

Revolt is afoot at Manor Farm, when downtrodden beasts of burden rise-up against their cruel taskmaster, Farmer Jones. But self-ruled animal utopia quickly gives way to the temptations of power and privilege in Peter Hall’s fast-moving musical adaptation of George Orwell’s savage satire.

Content Advisory: This production includes gunshot sounds.

“MUST BE SEEN …A Noise Within [has] blown out the stops…an allegory for our times.”
—Michael Sheehan, On Stage Los Angeles

“FIRST RATE…strong, convincing and transformative…will leave you with much to think about.”
— Eddie Rivera, Pasadena Now

“SUPERB… A talented ensemble cast adept at acting, dancing, and singing… should please any audience.”
—Elaine Mura, Splash Magazines

“YOU WILL BE RIVETED... brilliantly cast and staged. Highly recommended, don’t miss it!”
—Carol Edger-Germain, Colorado Boulevard

“ENTERTAINING AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING…The show is fresh and full of surprises whether you know the story or not, and the performances are all a treat to watch.”
—Roberta Brown, LA Mommy Poppins

“WOW! STUNNING…As engaging and entertaining as it is thought-provoking, Animal Farm is guaranteed to blow you away.”
—Steven Stanley, Stage Scene LA

“ENTERTAINS… a strong ensemble cast… Young or old, it's worth seeing this swiftly-moving, inspired theatrical adaptation full of incredible acting and voices.”
— Chanin Victor, Santa Monica Observer

“THE BEST LIVE STAGE PRODUCTION this revolutionary reviewer has seen all year. Fans of great theater, satire, political discourse, et al, should get on all four hoofs and gallop out to Pasadena to see this Orwellian tour de force tout suite.”
—Ed Rampell, Hollywood Progressive

“POWERFUL…will give you chills even as you laugh and marvel at its artistry. Exceptional acting and delivery, creative costuming with a Mad Max feel, thoroughly dynamic staging and live music combine to create a riveting—and frightening—theatrical experience.”
—Anita W, Harris, LA Theatrix

"CHILLING & TIMELY…an erudite analysis of the human condition and the ways selfishness can muddy even the purest original intentions…so agile is the entire troupe that the whole performance seems to be undertaken by a cast three times this size.”
—Andrew Child, Broadway World

“IMPRESSIVE ARTISTRY…the cast is fantastic…intelligent art that deserves to be seen.”
—Dena Burroughs, The Fume of Sighs

“STAGE RAW TOP 10…A CLASS ACT. This musical adaptation is a timely scary work, and its current production has been brought to the stage with acumen, insight and skill.”
—Deborah Klugman, Stage Raw

“FANTASTICALLY THEATRICAL…a thoroughly entertaining, albeit disturbing ride!”
—Alisa Hayashida, South Pasadenan

“AN IMPRESSIVE PRODUCTION…exposes the fragility of political systems and the dangers associated with government transitions.”
—Joe Mosqueda, Glamgical

“FIVE STARS… totally absorbing… masterfully staged with a talented and truly ensemble cast of actors.”
—Rob Stevens, Haines His Way

“TERRIFIC…a talented, fearless cast bring[s] Orwell’s farmyard fable to life with a fast-paced production that clips along with the help of masterful musicians.”
Flapper Press

“RIVETING, FRIGHTENING, AND ENTERTAINING…Julia Rodriguez-Elliot’s astounding marvel—her best staging to date—will leave you breathless….gives voice to both man’s continuing creativity and his defiance against evil.”
—Tony Frankel, Stage and Cinema

“THEATRICAL…Brought vividly to life…the actors playfully adapt to their animal characters…a welcome addition to [ANW’s] distinguished production history.”
—Hoyt Hilsman, Cultural Daily

TRAILER, GALLERIES & VIDEOS

Behind the Scenes Videos
Animal Farm Production Photos
Animal Farm Rehearsal Photos
Animal Farm Set Design Models

Header photo by Daniel Reichert. Pictured: Nicole Javier, Rafael Goldstein, Kasey Mahaffy.

Sponsors

Jeanie & Terry Kay

Joe & Denise Lumarda

Student Matinee Sponsors:
Suzanne and Lawrence Hess

Additional Information

Animal Farm Guide (pdf)

Special Performances

Symposium

Join us 6:45pm for a free lecture by ANW’s Resident Dramaturg, Dr. Miranda Johnson-Haddad.

August 31, 2022

Pay What You Choose

Pay What You Choose tickets will be available to purchase online for as low as $5 starting at 12pm on the Monday before the performance with the choice to pay $5, $10, or $15 (excluding handling fee). Tickets can also be purchased at the Box Office after 2pm day of the performance. Cash only. Suggested price of $10.

September 1, 2022

Opening Night

Join us for a free post-show cast party after the 8pm performance.

September 3, 2022

Post-Show Conversations

After select Friday 8pm and Sunday 2pm performances, join us after the show for a conversation with the actors.

September 9, 2022
September 11, 2022
September 16, 2022
September 23, 2022
September 30, 2022

artists + cast

The Artists

Director: Julia Rodriguez-Elliott
Musical Director: Rod Bagheri
Scenic Designer: Angela Balogh Calin
Costume Design: Angela Balogh Calin
Lighting Design: Ken Booth
Sound Design: Kate Wecker
Wig Design & Make Up: Tony Valdes
Fight Choreography: Kenneth R. Merckx, Jr.
Assistant Fight Choreographer: Marc Leclerc
Dialect Coach: Andrea Odinov
Dramaturg: Miranda Johnson-Haddad
Mask Artisan: Dillon Nelson
Props Designer: Shen Heckel
Video Designer: Nick Santiago
Audio Engineer: Mason Vancil
Production Stage Manager: Pat Loeb*
Assistant Stage Manager: Mikayla Bettner

The Cast

Old Major, Boxer: Geoff Elliott*
Mr. Jones, various animals: Bert Emmett*
Napoleon: Rafael Goldstein*
Snowball, Mr. Whymper, Bull: Stanley Andrew Jackson*
Mollie: Nicole Javier*
Squealer: Trisha Miller*
Moses, Minimus: Cassandra Marie Murphy*
Benjamin: Jeremy Rabb*
Muriel: Philicia Saunders*
Clover: Deborah Strang*
Cat, Mr. Pilkington: Sedale Threatt Jr.
Woodwinds: David Catalan
Trumpet, Flugelhorn: Nathan Johnson
Understudy, Napoleon: Gabriel Bonilla
Understudy, Snowball/Mr. Whymper: Mitch Connolly
Understudy, Cat/Mr. Pilkington/Hen: Giovanny Camarena
Understudy, Squealer: Taylor Joree Scorse
Understudy, Moses/Minimus/Hen/Pigeon/Dog/Cow: Thais Menendez*
Understudy, Clover: Emily Kosloski*
Understudy, Mollie/Muriel/Hen/Pigeon/Dog/Pig: Cynthia San Luis
Understudy, Mr. Jones/Benjamin/Sheep: Joma Saenz*

† Designer is represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA-829 of the IATSE
* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

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