Season Seven: Through the Looking Screen

The North American premiere of Anne Chmelewsky’s Through the Looking Screen ran September 20 to October 6, 2024. The show was a huge hit with audiences and a critical success.

Annabel is 27 and her life is a continuous status update. She has used every social medium available to carefully cultivate her profile in order to attract the attention of her dishy colleague, Sebastian. Through the Looking Screen by Anne Chmelewsky is an affectionate but unflinching operatic portrayal of an increasingly desperate young woman losing touch with the world beyond her PC and smartphone. Annabel’s life is a tragicomic tale of our times.

Director/Pianist: Eileen Kuo
Starring Jacquelene Cooper
Stage Manager: J-Lavender
Written and composed by Anne Chmelewsky

Dates: September 20 – October 6, 2024
Location: TheatreSouth (in the First Congo basement), 1000 Cooper St

Audience reactions:

A review from Jeff Kirwan:

It should come as no surprise to anyone in Memphis that Quark Theatre is on a roll and producing some of the most compelling theatre in the region. Their latest production of Through the Looking Screen by Anne Chmelewsky is no exception, and further cements their place as one of our most cutting edge local companies. Originally produced for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, this one woman operetta soars under the direction (and accompaniment) of Eileen Kuo and the powerful, yet deft and subtle, voice of Jacquelene Cooper. Any producer in Memphis could find no two women more perfectly suited to this show.

As is Quark’s standard, the set design is sparse yet perfectly balanced, and the lighting by Louisa Koeppel punctuates each moment with subtlety and care.

And… AND, Ms. Chmelewsky has agreed to waive her licensing fee and donate the proceeds to Stax Music Academy. So what’s not to love?

If you’re in the Memphis area, do not miss this show.