A Tale of Friendship and Collaboration
Miguel Kertsman’s Children’s Music Theater piece, “O Saci”, has been performed over 30 times in London, Chicago, Vienna and at the Bregenz Opera Festival.
Vienna Production trailer 2012
The Story of O Saci
Based on the “Saci Perere,” the well-known Brazilian folk legend, Miguel Kertsman’s O Saci is a unique family theater experience, proven to mesmerize young children while entertaining audiences of all ages. With the storyline embedded in Kertsman’s music score for four-hand piano, flute, and cello, this tale is brought to life on stage by a compact yet impactful ensemble of four acting dancers. O Saci can also be performed as pure Chamber Music, Ballet (music and dance), Pantomime, or Music with narrative.
The 45-minute production introduces the Saci, a mischievous forest creature, in his native land. Pulling pranks is his favorite pastime, and when caught in the act he uses one of his magic powers – turning himself into whirlwind – to blow himself away from his pursuers. But he travels too far, across the great ocean, and lands in a new, strange place.
Rescued from drowning by a water sprite, the equally playful Cai, Saci surveys this strange new land and makes a new friend in Cai. They work together using their magic powers to save a farm house from fire. Now fast friends, Cai introduces Saci to snow and winter play.
Though enjoying his new environment, Saci longs to return to his Brazilian forest, and as such sets out to continue his quest to once again find home. Meaning, he disappears, re-appears, plays a prank or two (after all one can’t change a legend) and travels within his whirlwind to his next adventure! O Saci has already been to London, England, Chicago USA, Vienna’s Museum Quarter and the Bregenz Festival in Austria… and the adventure continues!
USA Premiere, full performance Chicago, 2011
The Production
The basic “O Saci” production consists of: four musicians — piano four hands, flute, violoncello; and four dancers / actors. It is a lean production, easy to tour and stage. Alexander Medem has directed O Saci’s performances in England, US, and Austria.