The Yellow Wallpaper
UW Memorial Union-Play Circle 800 Langdon St., Madison, Wisconsin 53706
Julia Ragalie
Meghan Randolph in the Music Theatre of Madison production "The Yellow Wallpaper."
This new musical written by Madison composers Erin McConnell and Evan Lange is based on the classic short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. The story, written in 1892, it was rediscovered in the 1970s by a new wave of feminist literary scholars, who lauded it for its representation of female oppression and repression. The one-woman show from Music Theater of Madison stars Meghan Randolph. The story of a woman recovering from a breakdown in a room with wallpaper that begins to exacerbate her condition “called out for music,” says Randolph. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 13-14 and 2 p.m. on Aug. 15; the Aug. 13 performance will also be available as a livestream.
press release: Music Theatre of Madison will present the world premiere of The Yellow Wallpaper, a new musical written by Madison composers Erin McConnell and Evan Lange, from August 13-14 at 7:30 p.m. and August 15 at 2:00 p.m. Performances will be at the Play Circle Theater on the second floor of the Memorial Union, 800 Langdon Street. Tickets are available beginning July 6 at www.mtmadison.com, by phone at 608-265-ARTS, or in person at the Campus Arts Box Office. Up to 50 in-person tickets will be available for each performance, with social distancing regulations in place. The first performance on August 13 will be livestreamed. Following the closing of the production, a filmed version will be available to rent on MTM’s website.
Ticket Prices: $29.00 in-person, $15.00 for live-stream ($30 household) on August 13. Prices include a $5.00 facility fee that is retained by the Union Theater. The Union Theater will assess a fee if you would like to have your tickets mailed to you. Otherwise, no additional fees!
The Yellow Wallpaper is adapted from the famous 1892 short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. In it, a woman is left to rest from a psychological breakdown in a room decorated with an intricately-patterned yellow wallpaper. The Woman first finds the paper hideous, then frustrating, then all-consuming. Eventually, she discovers a terrifying secret beneath its seams.
The story has been adapted for stage and screen several times. It typically adds characters that are mentioned in the book but not major parts of the story. This adaptation features only the Woman for the vast majority of the tale, with her husband coming in once, briefly, which more closely follows the book.
“It’s meant to be an experience that the audience goes through with her,” says Meghan Randolph, MTM’s Executive Director, who also plays the Woman. “When you add other perspectives to the narrative, your judgement is clouded by what others are saying. I wanted the audience to have her and only her to connect with. It’s a way to become extremely invested in her journey.” Randolph continues, “This story called out for music to me. The situations are so personal, so intense, and the dialogue is so poetic. You can feel the rhythms in the way the narrator speaks in the book and how they reflect her state of mind. It’s tailor-made to be musicalized.”
The show is directed by Janine Gardner and Trinity Gardner, with music direction by McConnell and Lange, and movement by Marin Johnson. There are multiple themes in the story, including its status as a feminist work, its contribution to the horror genre, and its addressing of mental health issues. Therefore, talkbacks will be held after the production with experts Dr. Emily Auerbach and Dr. Brigitte Fielder.
“The show brings up many important themes,” says Janine Gardner, who will direct the production with her daughter Trinity, a graduate of MTM’s internship program who helped develop the company’s original musicals Hephaestus and Ten Days in a Madhouse. “It was embraced by feminists in the 60’s and 70’s, although that was limited to white feminism. Gilman herself wrote it as an indictment of the mental health industry and one doctor in particular. But for our production, we are leaning into the horror.” She goes on to explain: “These themes overlap, but the intimacy really gives a sense of dread and thrill. It’s not bloody horror or ghost story horror. It really is its own brand.”
“A one-person show is not something I’ve done,” says Randolph, who has been a performer for 30 years and appeared locally with Madison Opera, CTM, Four Seasons Theatre, and Forward Theater, and who also toured with Cats. “I’m excited and scared in a good way. The slow progression and vulnerability of this character will be an acting, vocal, and physical challenge I haven’t taken on yet.”
Chats with the cast: Post-show talkbacks with Dr. Emily Auerbach, Dr. Brigitte Fielder, and Dr. Robin Woods, and the creative team to discuss the many layers (literal and figurative!) of THE YELLOW WALLPAPER.
Music Theatre of Madison is a professional theater company that focuses on the new and different in musical theater, both through performing established lesser-known works and creating new works by Wisconsin artists. More information is available at www.mtmadison.com.
Seating and Health Guidelines: The Yellow Wallpaper will be able to perform for a live audience with a reduced capacity. We should know this capacity very soon, before tickets go on sale, and we will publish it here. If you are unable to attend, the show will be livestreamed on August 13 and available to watch online after the run concludes.
If you plan to attend a live performance, that's awesome! We can't wait to see you. Please be advised of the following guidelines, per Wisconsin Union policy:
Distancing: Please be conscious of distancing from people who are not in your household.
Arrive early! The earlier you arrive, the easier it will be to get everyone in and safely seated.
Consult the ushers! Representatives will be available to help you find where marked off-seating is available.
Do not remove markers! Do not remove tape from seats that are covered, and please adhere to signs that say "Reserved."
Masks: In accordance with the University's new heath order, everyone must wear a mask whether vaccinated or not
.
Additional safety precautions:
All MTM staff are vaccinated and will be tested the week of the show. They will also wear amsks at all times.
There is only one actor in the show. She will not be masked onstage, but will remain at least six feet from the front row and masked at all other times. She is vaccinated.
Seats will be sanitized between performances.
Sanitizing wipes will be available if you'd like them.
Capacity has been reduced to 75 people maximum out of the theatre's usual 182.
Drinks: Beverages purchased in the Union, as well as water bottles, are allowed in the theatre during the performance. This includes beverages purchased at the Rathskeller. No food is allowed in the theatre.
Advisory: Be advised that given the layout of the space, actors, musicians, and technical staff may be near you. We will maintain distance of as many feet as possible. Everyone working with Music Theatre of Madison this summer will be vaccinated, tested for COVID the week of the performances, and, other than the performer, will be wearing a mask.
Accommodations: If you require ADA accommodations, please contact info@mtmadison.com so that we can make sure an accessible, distanced seat is reserved for you.
Post-show: It is permitted to mingle in the lobby area after the show as long as you are wearing a mask and distancing from those you don't know. If you would like to have longer conversations with friends or family, we recommend you step outside onto the beautiful Union Terrace for drinks, food, and music!