Punctuate4 Productions "Madame Mozart": A Stunning Masterpiece

To compose while you decompose, that is the question.

Punctuate4 Productions presents Madame Mozart: The Lacrimosa, an original play written by Anne Undeland. After the death of her husband, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Constanze Mozart feverishly works to complete his unfinished Requiem to avoid poverty and preserve her husband’s legacy.

One of the best parts about stories is the “what if...” When I first heard the plotline for Madame Mozart, I was immediately intrigued. Historical shows have become my favorite. Not only does the play acknowledge strong feminine power, but Madame Mozart is also an elegant show about music, asking for help, and standing up for what one wants.

Madame Mozart is a two-person show, starring Jocelyn Duford and Jeremy Beazle, two talented actors. They both did their homework and researched the lives behind their characters. Doing this amplified their performances. They didn’t just play the roles, but also expressed subtle attributes of their real-life counterparts.

Duford’s performance of Constanze Mozart glowed with emotional resonance, strength, and compassion. We know about Wolfgang Mozart, but have you ever thought about who Constanza Mozart was?

In a time when women weren’t recognized for their status, Constanze had fierce determination. Duford shapes Constanza’s journey, highlighting her fight to preserve her husband’s legacy, while also tending to her own creative ambitions.

Beazle presents his impressive Jekyll and Hyde skills, playing six different characters throughout the performance. One moment, he is Mozart’s stern father, Leopold Mozart, until transforming into Constanze’s mother, Cacilia, and then as Constanze’s young son.

Each time Beazle reenters the stage, he carries an entirely new character with him. All he does is shift his voice, change his posture, and make subtle costume changes. Beazle’s sharp comedic timing is another attribute of his performance, which made audiences laugh.

Now, for the technical elements, because Madame Mozart would be nothing without its technical team. Gloucester Stage made an excellent setting for the show. The technical elements of Madame Mozart added to the show’s atmosphere and transported audiences to 18th-century Vienna.

Madame Mozart is a visually stunning show. I couldn’t stop staring at the lights as they changed colors with every beat of the music. They also carried the story in each color. A screen projector enhances the musical notes from Mozart’s Requiem.

Music is an important element in the show, as Mozart attributed his life to it. The talented John Churchwell plays live music of Mozart’s ballets onstage. The music echoes beautifully throughout the theater.

Director Miriam Cyr has an eye for historical shows and stories about overlooked women from history. Cyr painted a sophisticated atmosphere in her direction and created something special.

Historical shows are intriguing takes because oftentimes, history overlooks fascinating details. Shows like these inspire curiosity. I recalled listening to audiences discussing the show and historical facts while exiting the theater. I also researched Mozart when I got home. That should always be the main intent of any historical show.

This story has several themes. You need to stand up for what you want and not let others walk all over you. Another subtle theme is asking for help. We’ve seen stories where protagonists take the wheel and succeed; however, Constanze asks for help.

Many people are afraid to ask for help, for fear that they may appear weak. Constanze’s honesty is a human and relatable attribute that contributes to how helping hands are okay. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Punctuate4 Productions' Madame Mozart is a stunning, elegant, and heartfelt show. It’s something to witness at Gloucester Stage. Catch a performance in its final weekend at Gloucester Stage, ending on Oct. 19.