Singing Harp
Who We AreSinging Harp is a storytelling theater company dedicated to presenting classic stories in dramatic and musical forms. Our goal is to illuminate the many layers of meaning in these stories, inspiring our audience to appreciate this tremendous material.
Our performers represent a diverse collection of talents, and each person has been chosen for their breadth of life experience as well as the love of the ideas presented in the stories. Company members have been trained at such illustrious institutions as the Juilliard School, the Berklee School of Music, the Royal Academy in London, and Trinity College in Dublin, as well as including a former lead dancer with the Paul Taylor Dance Co. We create our productions organically and collaboratively, drawing from each person’s inspiration and unique understanding; no two shows are ever alike. |
Our HistorySinging Harp was founded by harpist-composer Alyssa Reit to recreate great literature such as the fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm, ancient Irish sagas, Greek myths, and stories from the Arabian Nights. The productions, directed by New York stage director Terrence Montgomery, have a simple, elegant, intimate style, full of fun and enchantment, all accompanied by original harp music. Our settings stimulate the imagination and provoke questions, while retaining both the integrity and magical quality of the traditional versions.
The troupe has a performance history ranging from schools and storytelling festivals to a month long engagement at Edinburgh, where we received rave reviews. In our home base of the NY Tri-state area we have become a popular favorite at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, and we have received grants from the Westchester Arts Council and NYSCA , most recently to support our new venture, The Sunflower StoryArts Festival. |
Reviews
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THE STAGE Aug.05
THE VALIANT LITTLE TAILOR Alyssa Reit’s delightful stage adaptation of the Grimm Brothers’ fairytale of the resourceful tailor who, having by chance killed seven flies with one swat, uses his wits to become a king, is performed with skillful theatrecraft by the engaging, versatile Singing Harp Company of New York. A small multipurpose set incorporating a mini puppet theatre focuses the action…Lisa Wenzel amusingly deploys different sized dolls as the tailor ... With rapid changes of costumes and masks, unicorn and boar especially lifelike, Leanne DeCamp zestfully portrays the many challenges the tailor must overcome. Alyssa Reit’s storytelling to harp accompaniment completes the sheer delight of the wholly absorbed young audience. THE GOLDEN BIRD Alyssa Reit’s stage adaptation of Grimm’s fairytale moves apace in Singing Harp Company’s very satisfying performance set to Reit’s charming harp accompaniment. …Lisa Wenzel delights as the young prince, while Reagan Wood Sanders quickly changes elegant costumes and exquisitely made masks to conjure most engagingly a host of characters from amusing fox to enchanting golden bird. Terrence Montgomery deftly directs this accomplished production for younger children, greatly enjoyed by all. THREE WEEKS Aug. ‘05 THE GOLDEN BIRD All the elements of a good children’s show are put together successfully in this retelling of a classic Brothers Grimm tale. It is pretty to look at, with bright costumes and well crafted masks and the entrance of the eponymous ‘Golden Bird’ widened the eyes of the young audience. It is pretty to listen to, some gorgeous harp playing and percussion complementing the fine mime work of the two actors. THE VALIANT LITTLE TAILOR A clever combination of puppetry, narration and music make this show a sure hit for the younger festivalgoer. Full of laughs, Singing Harp does very well in boosting the comedy in this Brothers Grimm tale….The whole show looks and sounds good, and there are plenty of moments for the parents as well. Good Fun. THE FROG PRINCE, OR FAITHFUL HENRY What a pleasant and refreshing change to see a children’s show not steeped elbow deep in patronizing Panto over-enthusiasm…The Frog Prince’ is a tale regaled by a harp-plucking narrator, wonderfully creating moods and atmosphere... Silent flowing movement from the players allow a magical setting to blossom onstage, while an audience, comprising far more three year olds than adults, sits mesmerized… A very welcome alternative to conventional children’s theatre. |
EdinburghGuide.com
THE THREE TREASURES This is one of five productions at this year’s Festival by New York’s Singing Harp company, who perform stories adapted from traditional fairy tales and classic literature. In this luscious production we are treated to the tale of The Three Treasures, a luminous story of jealousy, revenge and redemption. The set is immediately inviting, with sumptuous furnishings and thoughtfully chosen props. The company has gone equally to town on the stunning traditional costumes, and it is easy to imagine that we are looking through the window into an opulent Persian palace. Four women perform the story. Alyssa Reit introduces us to the tale and performs a beautiful and unobtrusive accompaniment on the harp, while Leanne DeCamp, Una McGillicuddy and Lisa Wenzel take turns narrating and acting out the unfolding narrative. The performances are polished and the three women switch between the different roles with impressive fluidity, while never compromising the clarity of the narrative. THE SCOTSMAN Aug. 05 THE VALIANT LITTLE TAILOR I think there may be magic at work here…an enchanting mix of puppetry, music and storytelling. THE SIX SWANS …meticulous direction and theatrical flair… every move so carefully choreographed…that you can only be drawn deep into their fairytale world… |
A Note from the Artistic Director:
Why I Love These Stories
Of course, everyone loves a good story. In my own family, “telling” was a beloved tradition. As a child I remember sitting transfixed as my grandmother made up story after story, finding a clever ways to weave in characters or objects we had asked her to include. I especially loved reading the Grimm’s fairy tales---that was the book I stealthily opened under the covers long after I was supposed to be sleeping.
As an adult I enjoyed a successful career as a professional harpist, yet I still found myself drawn to storytelling. As fate would have it, on a whim I tracked down world-renowned storyteller, Laura Simms, and asked for some coaching. We spent five sessions just on the tale of The Frog Prince. I was astonished at the wealth of material we uncovered, as well as by how relevant it was to life. For example, there is a point in the story when the Frog is faced with a huge decision: either to abandon his wish, or to follow after what he wants in the face of great physical and emotional difficulty. Who of us has not been confronted with some similar inner battle? In this case, the Frog relentlessly pursues what he loves---an act which results in his transformation. This story still sustains me in moments when I feel tempted to give up on my own dreams.
Other fairy tales are equally rich. Another good illustration is the moment in The Golden Bird when the Prince sees the absolute impossibility of completing his task within the appointed time. The Prince nevertheless keeps working and working—which ultimately attracts the help he needs. How hard it can be for any of us to continue struggling when a desired outcome looks completely hopeless! This moment in the story often gives me strength in the face of disturbing events in today’s world.
Such classic stories are amongst the most uplifting and inspirational influences to be found: sincere effort and patience succeed, courage conquers fear, and perseverance triumphs over seemingly unconquerable obstacles. As with all great literature, these stories live inside our hearts. They grow in us and continually bear fruit.
As an adult I enjoyed a successful career as a professional harpist, yet I still found myself drawn to storytelling. As fate would have it, on a whim I tracked down world-renowned storyteller, Laura Simms, and asked for some coaching. We spent five sessions just on the tale of The Frog Prince. I was astonished at the wealth of material we uncovered, as well as by how relevant it was to life. For example, there is a point in the story when the Frog is faced with a huge decision: either to abandon his wish, or to follow after what he wants in the face of great physical and emotional difficulty. Who of us has not been confronted with some similar inner battle? In this case, the Frog relentlessly pursues what he loves---an act which results in his transformation. This story still sustains me in moments when I feel tempted to give up on my own dreams.
Other fairy tales are equally rich. Another good illustration is the moment in The Golden Bird when the Prince sees the absolute impossibility of completing his task within the appointed time. The Prince nevertheless keeps working and working—which ultimately attracts the help he needs. How hard it can be for any of us to continue struggling when a desired outcome looks completely hopeless! This moment in the story often gives me strength in the face of disturbing events in today’s world.
Such classic stories are amongst the most uplifting and inspirational influences to be found: sincere effort and patience succeed, courage conquers fear, and perseverance triumphs over seemingly unconquerable obstacles. As with all great literature, these stories live inside our hearts. They grow in us and continually bear fruit.
— Alyssa Reit
