The Great Calamity
Medicine Show
Sir Phosphorus and his lovely assistant, Victoria, sharing their “Phosphorescent Elixir” with the people of Velvet Lake. (Wykoff, MN)
Synopsis
In the small, quiet town of Velvet Lake, every day seems to pass by without any hiccups or headaches. That is, until a mysterious salesman and his “Cure-All” medicine show rolls into town. His charisma and sharp wit may win over the residents of this quaint town, but what soon unfolds will be remembered in the history books as: “One of the worst medical calamities on earth!” With lovesickness reaching a fever pitch and hallucinogenic side effects running amok, the entire town is thrown into paranoia and chaos. Code Red! Call the CDC! Call the Governor! Call anybody! Who can be trusted?! Who is really to blame for this mess?! Who is in charge?! And will the Mayor’s hair ever be the same again?! Join Cahoot?! Physical Theatre on an adventure dissecting issues of love, greed, and medicine through the lens of Commedia Dell’Arte.
What Do Our Audiences Think?
“These young thespians are so full of energy and passion for theatre, it does my heart good.” - Sherry S., Stickney, SD
“Unbelievable talent shines through a polished and put-together ensemble.” - Kelly V., Minneapolis, MN
“They acted like they ate donuts all day.” - Anya F., St. Paul, MN
Behind the Scenes
The inspiration for “The Great Calamity Medicine Show” came from multiple sources: the fascinating history of patent medicine - specifically Hadacol, a patent medicine created by Dudley J. LeBlanc in 1943, the current opioid crisis in America, and humankind’s desire to believe things which sound too good to be true, especially regarding medicine and health.
In order to create a show that was aesthetically pleasant yet mobile, we had to think outside the box when designing the show. Ensemble member Chase Perkins found a free trampoline advertised in his neighborhood. We used the metal frame of the trampoline to create the frame for our backdrop! Ensemble members Graham Casper Haught and Emilia Björk-Perkins sewed pieces of scrap fabric together to imitate a horizon of the Great Plains.
“The Great Calamity Medicine Show” premiered in Stickney, South Dakota on August 15th 2019 as part of the first annual BIG SKY TOUR. Since then, Cahoot?! has performed the wacky, hilarious show in both South Dakota and Minnesota. Because the show was intentionally designed to be low-tech and mobile, we have performed in schools, a public park, a barn, and even a town fire hall (next to ambulances and fire trucks). Audiences across the upper Midwest have delighted in the inventive staging, vibrant costumes & set pieces, and zany antics, sometimes coming back to see the show multiple times!
If you are interested in hosting a performance of “The Great Calamity Medicine Show,” please contact us - we are excited to perform for you!
What is Commedia Dell’Arte?
Commedia dell’arte, (Italian: “comedy of the profession”) is a form of comedic physical theatre that emphasizes ensemble acting, stock characters, masks, and over-the-top situations. It emerged in Italy in the 16th century and flourished throughout Europe from the 16th through the 18th century. Commedia companies would often travel the continent, performing for both public markets and royal courts alike. In the late 18th century, Commedia dell’Arte in its original form slowly faded from existence. In the 20th century, however, several renowned physical theatre artists (including Carlo Mazzoni-Clementi, a co-founder of Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre, where the ensemble members of Cahoot?! Physical Theatre studied) brought the theatre style back to life. Since then, Commedia dell’Arte has seen a resurgence in American and European theaters. Many companies have taken the core of the form and added a modern twist, performing hilarious - and relevant - stories that resonate with all audiences.
Technical Requirements
Our company’s mission emphasizes the necessity of accessible theatre. In order to reach all types of audiences in all kinds of venues, we designed “The Great Calamity Medicine Show” to have very few technical requirements. All we need to perform for your school/community is a 20’ x 20’ performance area, space for an audience of 20 or more people, and a folding table for programs, literature, and merchandise. We provide everything else!
Due to a severe thunderstorm, our performance in Plankinton, SD (which was supposed to be outdoors as part of a town festival) was relocated into the Plankinton fire hall. (Plankinton, SD)
Mayor Myrtle Pearl Pyrtle shows her deep love for her son, Pendleton, while Doctor Oxford looks on. (St. Paul, MN)
Performance History
South Dakota
August 15, 2019 - Stickney Elementary School / Stickney, SD
August 16, 2019 - White Lake School / White Lake, SD
August 17, 2019 - Pheasant Fest on Main Street (Plankinton Fire Hall) / Plankinton, SD
August 18, 2019 - Plankinton School / Plankinton, SD
Minnesota
August 30, 2019 - DreamAcres Farm / Wykoff, MN
September 7, 2019 - Phalen Regional Park / St. Paul, MN
September 4 &12, 2021 - Phalen Regional Park / St. Paul, MN
September 5 & 18, 2021 - Powderhorn Park / Minneapolis, MN
September 11 & 19, 2021 - Mattocks Park / St. Paul, MN