| Robert McQueen |
Introduction "McQueen in many ways was the production’s MVP. Rarely in a comic opera does one see characters so fully realized. In fact McQueen’s non–stop whirlwind of comedic activity lent the production a Marx Brothers zaniness, much of the action cued by elements of Rossini’s brilliant score. (Barber of Seville)” Tucson Citizen, Daniel Buckley BiographyDirector, dramaturge and teacher, Robert McQueen, has worked across the United States, Canada and internationally. Recent theatre productions include Adam Guettel’s THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, which was nominated in the Best Production of a Musical category at Toronto’s 2010 Dora Mavor Moore Awards, and Strauss’ final operatic composition CAPRICCIO which he directed for Pacific Opera, Victoria. Internationally, Robert’s latest work includes direction and dramaturgy of a new music theatre piece entitled WHERE ELEPHANTS WEEP, which had it’s world premiere at the Chenla Theatre, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Along with an orchestra comprised of Cambodian traditional and contemporary musicians, this production brought together a company of actors, singers and dancers from Cambodia and North America. The material was developed and rehearsed both in Phnom Penh and New York City. The production was filmed by the Cambodian Television Network and was aired to 2 million viewers nationwide in that country. In 2009 Robert directed Robert directed a Tokyo based creative team and acting company in a Japanese language production of the Rogers and Hammerstein musical CAROUSEL at the Galaxy Theatre in Tokyo. Recent opera productions include Vancouver opera’s THE MAGIC FLUTE for which Robert served as director and dramaturge as well as creating the libretto adaptation. The project, developed over a three year period, was a collaboration between a 15 member creative team of Canadian Aboriginal and non-Native visual artists and theatre makers. This production will be remounted by Vancouver Opera in their 2013 season. Additional opera productions are LA BOHÈME for the Canadian Opera Company, TURANDOT and IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA for Arizona Opera as well as Associate Direction on FAUST for Cincinnati Opera. In the commercial theatre Robert was the Associate Director for the Broadway and national touring productions of MAMMA MIA and recently directed the Mexico City and Sao Paulo productions. Additionally, he was Associate to Harold Prince for the national tour of SHOWBOAT. Regionally, in North America, Robert’s directing assignments have included productions of I AM MY OWN WIFE, AS YOU LIKE IT, THE CRADLE WILL ROCK, HAIR and PAL JOEY. As a dramaturge Robert has worked on the development of new musicals and operas in both Canada and the US for companies including The O’Neill Centre, Vancouver Opera and the Canadian Opera Company. Robert has been working with actor Cynthia Sophiea on the development of her solo piece, EVERYONE HAS TEARS, which had its first public performance during Hofstra University’s Day of Dialogue. He recently directed the reading of New York based Asian-American actor/writer Christine Toy Johnson’s new play INTERNAL BLEEDING. At the invitation of the NGO Cambodian Living Arts, Robert returned to Phnom Penh this fall to lead a workshop in the development of a new production of the traditional performance discipline called Lakhon Yike. This season Robert will direct Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori’s musical CAROLINE, OR CHANGE in Toronto followed by THE LAST FIVE YEARS in Sao Paulo. In the spring Robert will lead a developmental workshop of WHEN THE SUN COMES OUT, a new opera by Leslie Uyeda and Rachel Rose, which will lead to its premiere performance in Vancouver. January 2012 Full RepertoireINTERNATIONAL THEATRE
U.S. NATIONAL TOURS
OPERA
SELECTED REGIONAL THEATRE
WORKSHOPS
FUTURE PROJECTS
Engaged By
Reviews“McQueen has found just the right tone for this piece: sophisticated romantic comedy with a hint of the absurd but also a big heart.” “McQueen’s direction is superb.” “An inspiring, must see production, well worth the wait, the investment and the rist: a Magic Flute with real magic.” “It made me feel something rarely felt in the theatre or opera, or life today: a sense of awe.” “Director Robert McQueen, making his mainstage COC debut, shines right off the bat when a quartet of male bohos dance and sing in light mockery of their own poverty. Puccini would surely have appreciated the sumptuous design, superb acting and deft direction.” “Stage director Robert McQueen knows how to keep the action fast, quick and clever and his casts (alternate casts played the three lead roles) not only sounded glorious…but had a field day hamming it up and making the most of opera’s comic potential.” “In his staging, Robert McQueen reveled in the many ways Rossini pokes fun at the traditions of opera. As the tangled plot nears its close, for instance, Figaro elaborately mocks the lovers’ insistence on breaking into a long duet in the midst of an elopement that needs to be both quiet and quick.”
Arizona Daily Star – Kimberly Matas
“McQueen’s non-stop whirlwind of comedic activity lent the production a Marx Brothers-like zaniness, much of the action cued by elements of Rossini’s brilliant score. McQueen in many ways was the production’s MVP. Rarely in a comic opera does one see characters so fully realized.” Tucson Citizen – Daniel Buckley
“Stage Director Robert McQueen deserves a ‘bravo’ for his obviously successful work with everyone in the cast.”
Green Valley News – Kathy Engle |