Company XIV returns with another gender-bending, adults-only fairy tale.
By Brandon Voss
Before taking a bite out of Snow White for their latest Baroque burlesque spectacle, Company XIV found inspiration in the Brothers Grimm version of the beloved fairy tale. “It has all the classic themes of jealousy, murder, and sensuality,” says Company XIV artistic director Austin McCormick, who conceived, directed, and choreographed the production. “A lot of the darker original elements have been taken out or modified over time to be less scary, but we’re embracing those narrative points.”
At the bloody heart of this world-premiere adults-only production, which opens February 3 at the Minetta Lane Theatre, are Hilly Bodin as Snow White and Laura Careless as the Evil Queen. “Our Snow White is a little edgier and not some sort of innocent victim,” McCormick says. “She has some agency and guts, and she’s more of a real threat to the Queen. It’s a much more interesting relationship than you see in the Disney version.”
Also absent from that 1937 Disney cartoon is Company XIV’s signature musical mashup of opera and classical covers of pop songs by contemporary artists like Tove Lo and Britney Spears. “I’m very influenced by the German cabaret aesthetic, so there’s a bit of that sprinkled throughout this show as well,” McCormick says.
Gender-bending and androgyny are also a big part of the company’s extravagant aesthetic, and Snow White, ending a season that included their bawdy interpretations of Cinderella and Nutcracker Rouge, is just as queer. In fact, the “prince” is played by Courtney Giannone, a female circus artist. “So, in a fun twist, Snow White ends up with a woman at the end,” McCormick continues. “We always like to play with every possible gender combination, and this show is no different.”
Company XIV previously presented its spin on Snow White as a kid-friendly production. How has the show been transformed into an experience for adults? “The content hasn’t changed much,” McCormick admits. “The choreography and narrative are very similar. It’s mainly about the styling and design elements.” In other words, expect less clothing? “Yeah, there are definitely more pasties in this version.”
Next, January 2016.
Photo: Steven Trumon Gray