Pictured: David Cerda

Facility Theatre has announced the cast and production staff for “The Ruse of Medusa,” a rarely produced play by French composer and pianist Erik Satie translated into English by poet M.C. Richards. Facility Resident Director Dado will direct a cast featuring David Cerda and Brian Shaw.

The lyric comedy consists of nine short scenes with seven alternating musical compositions involving the Baron Medusa, his daughter Frisette, her young suitor Astolpho, the Baron’s recalcitrant valet Polycarpe and a dancing mechanical monkey named Jonas. The surrealist play juxtaposes music, text and movement and is considered to be a precursor to Dadaism. Erik Satie wrote the text, incidental music, and dances for “Medusa” in 1913. It was then performed in private salons. A famous revival was produced at Black Mountain College in the summer of 1948 by American composer John Cage featuring Buckminster Fuller, Arthur Penn, Merce Cunningham, and Willem de Kooning.

David Cerda is the artistic director for Hell In A Handbag Productions and Brian Shaw is a founding member Plasticine physical theatre. Cerda and Shaw are joined by guest artists Jenni M. Hadley, Laurie Roberts, Taylor Galloway, Wilson Tanner Smith, Nick Cuellar, Zach Hebert, and Jordan Tragash.

Dado’s production staff includes Musical Director Sam Clapp, Assistant Director Jordan Tragash, Production Manager Shawna Franks, Technical Director Kirk Anderson, Stage Manager Albert Trefts, Set Designer Samantha Rausch, Lighting Designer Claire Chrzan, Costume Designer Kotryna HIlko, Properties Designer Jamie Kreppein, Choreographer Laurie Roberts, Dramaturg Elliot Baker, and Casting Director Maria Stephens. Marketing is provided by Sarah Ryan and Let Me Do That.

“The Ruse of Medusa” plays the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division, February 28 – April 7. Tickets are available at facilitytheatre.org.