Modern Adaptations - Rhea

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 The Riverside Shakespeare Company performed The Mandrake, starring Tom Hanks as Callimaco

Major difference- a jazz score was added to this production.

Films 

1965 Mandragola-Italian

2008 Mandrake Root-English

-Both of these films remained extremely close to the original story.


Several operas were composed titled La Mandragola as well.


1968 Mandrake by Michael Alfreds and Anthony Bowles


-The creators of this musical aimed for it to be a little softer and more light-hearted than the original play. Michael Alfreds and Anthony Bowles stated that, “We are meant to enjoy this sensual romp more than we are asked to condemn it”.


Main Differences in Musical Adaptation


A character was added to the musical  named Doria, who is a Sicilian Servant girl. The NY Times article describes her as the “only character not wandering about in a self-deluded haze”


Bowles, the composer, aimed to score this production in a way that humanized the most unlikable characters. For example, The Friar's moments with his own thoughts are underscored by a wistful melody.


The scoring in this musical takes both elements from the classical period of music, as well as contemporary music. The instrumentation for this musical consists of the piano and the harp. These instrument choices allow for juxtaposing eras of music to come together.


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