Punctuate4 Production Presents 'Madame Mozart:' A Dark Comedy Requiem

To compose while you decompose - it isn’t possible, but it has to be.

Punctuate4 Productions presents Madame Mozart: The Lacrimosa, an original play written by Anne Undeland. The dark comedy focuses on Constanze Mozart, who feverishly tries to complete her dead husband’s unfinished requiem. In a twist, Constanze gets some unexpected help from her husband’s decomposing presence.

Beverly resident Myriam Cyr directs Madame Mozart. Cyr has been involved in theater since the early 2000s. Her directing credits include My Fair Lady (Stage 284), Moving Bodies (OVO Theatre, England), and Simon Says at the Larcom Theatre.

When Cyr first read the script, it immediately bellowed ‘girl power’ to her. Cyr admires stories focused on overlooked women and likes to bring such voices and stories to the stage. For her, this show was the ultimate chance to awaken Constanze Mozart.

“(The play) is an exploration of a woman making it work when it’s really hard,” Cyr said. “History forgets that women were an integral part of shaping current events.”

Cyr described Madame Mozart as a blend of creative invention and historical accuracy. She compared Mozart’s popularity to The Beatles, recognizing how the play explores social status, as well as Wolfgang and Constanze’s love for each other.

The cast consists of two actors, Jeremy Beazlie and Jocelyn Duford. Production commenced when Cyr shared her vision for the play at a Dunkin' Donuts date.

Manchester, New Hampshire resident Jocelyn Duford plays Constanze Mozart. To get into her character’s mindset, she read real letters Mozart wrote to his wife to establish their relationship.

“One of the most fascinating parts of this character is her determination to do whatever it takes to provide for her family and to keep Mozart’s legacy alive,” Duford said.

Everyone has collaborated well in rehearsals, working with Cyr and playwright Anne Undeland, who provided depth and historical insights on how to play the characters.

Jeremy Beazlie of Manchester, MA, plays six characters in the show! He also did his Mozart research, having watched Amadeus (1984), and listened to the real Mozart’s Requiem itself. He learned more than he expected about the composer’s music, like the whole history of the Requiem.

Beazlie also said this show highlights the historical power of theater. “A historical show can spark a curiosity to explore deeper into the world, into that historical past,” Beazlie said. “It can be a great education even if it’s not 100% factual.”

Music is an integral part of Madame Mozart, often acting as a character of its own. Music director and Gloucester resident, John Churchwell, said that he will be playing 17 live musical pieces on a grand piano, supplemented with recordings.

Churchwell, who has been playing the piano for over four decades, immediately took an interest in the show, having always been fascinated by Mozart’s music. “This show has a wit that will keep your attention throughout the whole experience,” Churchwell explained.

Cyr expressed gratitude to Rebecca Bradshaw, the artistic director of Gloucester Stage, for the use of its stage. Cyr emphasizes that Punctuate4 Productions is taking risks in technical work that they’ve never done before.

Lighting by Len Schnabel, with sound design from Kosmo Hays, and period costumes by Catherine Strammer, will ground the story in its historical telling.

Despite the challenges of working with limited resources, Cyr said she is excited for audiences to see the final results of this show. “Audiences will take away the enduring beauty of Mozart’s music. The moral is simple: art creates hope.”

Madame Mozart: The Lacrimosa performs at Gloucester Stage from Oct. 10 through Oct. 19. Alongside the production, Punctuate4 Players also features 4 Plays and a Funeral, a short play festival, featuring staged readings. Tickets are available online at: Punctuate4.org