A Mirrored Monet Musical Shows Monet’s Struggle
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- A Mirrored Monet dramatizes Claude Monet’s struggle with cataracts while completing The Water Lilies in 1916, using reflections on his life and art as the central theme.
- Jeff Shankley portrays the aging Monet, who retreats into memories of his early career as his eyesight fails.
- Dean John‑Wilson plays a younger Monet, whose ambition may change art forever, highlighting the personal cost of his drive.
- Brooke Bazarian appears as Camille, Monet’s first wife, muse, and mother of his children, whose mistreatment is a focus of the narrative.
- Libby Todd designed a set of floor‑to‑ceiling empty canvases that fill with large impressionist paintings and animated backdrops rendered in flickering brushstrokes.
- Christian Durham directs the production, assembling an eight‑piece orchestra that performs Carmel Owen’s songs and delivering a stage full of mighty voices.
- Ritesh Manugula portrays the impressionist Bazille, while Sam Peggs plays Renoir; their lively banter and rebellion are highlighted as the show’s strongest moments.
Why it matters: The production gives theatergoers a rare, immersive glimpse into Monet’s personal sacrifices and the turbulent birth of Impressionism, while its ambitious set and split focus may challenge audience attention, making the show both a visual feast and a reflective narrative.
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