Jamaica Plain’s Nick Osborne Starring in Moonbox Productions’ ‘Amadeus’

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Nick Osborne

Jamaica Plain actor Nick Osborne will star in Moonbox Productions' upcoming production of "Amadeus" starting Nov. 25.

Nick Osborne

Nick Osborne

Amadeus is an extraordinary meditation on art, love and the human condition. The year is 1781, and the place is Vienna. Joseph II is Emperor of Austria, and Vienna's world of music is ruled by the precise and pedantic composer Antonio Salieri. Then the famous Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart arrives, throwing Salieri's predictable court life into chaos. At first, Mozart's genius fills Salieri with awe, but that awe quickly turns to a poisonous jealousy. Salieri must decide how far he will go to protect the world he has created, and to destroy the man who is a constant reminder of the artist he will never be.

Since the music of Mozart is as important to the show as the characters themselves, Moonbox is partnering with the Baroque performance ensemble, Grand Harmonie, to record its own historically informed versions of the music for the production. With the help of fortepiano soloist Sylvia Berry and the widely acclaimed Grand Harmonie orchestra musicians, Moonbox will recreate the aural sounds of 18th century Vienna using instruments appropriate to Mozart’s time.

Produced by Sharman Altshuler and directed by IRNE and Elliot Norton-nominated Allison Olivia Choat, the cast of Moonbox Productions’ presentation of Amadeus features Cody Sloan (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart), Matthew Zahnzinger (Antonio Salieri), Caroline Keeler (Constanze Weber), Arthur Gomez (Count Franz Orsini-Rosenberg), Ed Peed* (Count Johann-Kilian Von Strack), Andrew Winson (Baron Gottfried Van Swieten), Ray O’Hare (Joseph II), Sarah Leary (First Venticello), Nick Osborne (Second Venticello), J. Deschene (Teresa Salieri, et al.), Katie O’Reilly (Katherina Cavalieri, et al.), Matt Arnold (Salieri’s Valet, et al.), Cailin Doran (Salieri’s Cook, et al.), Adam Manacher (Kapellmeister Bonno, Leopold Mozart, et al.) *Member of Actors’ Equity Association.

As with each show, Moonbox Productions partners with a local non-profit giving them visibility on their website and in their promotional materials, as well as giving them access to their audiences in order to raise awareness of their cause, create connections within the community, and increase the reach and impact of their work. For the production of Amadeus, Moonbox will be partnering with Food for Free. Since 1981, Cambridge-based Food For Free, has responded to local hunger by rescuing food that would otherwise go to waste, and distributing it to local emergency food programs including food pantries, youth programs, shelters, and more. As one of the nation’s first food rescue programs, Food For Free, a local nonprofit, feeds more than 30,000 individuals annually in 12 Greater Boston cities. In 2015, Food For Free distributed 2 million pounds of fresh, healthy food, which translated into over 1.5 million meals. Through a combination of food rescue, farming, school and transportation programs, Food For Free’s year-round services give people access to fresh fruits and vegetables, which are typically lacking from the diets of low-income individuals and families.

“We are all so thrilled to be bringing Amadeus to the Plaza,” said Sharman Altshuler, Producer and Artistic Director for Moonbox Productions. “The world suffered a great loss this year with the death of acclaimed playwright Peter Shaffer. Moonbox is honored to celebrate Shaffer’s life by presenting his masterwork. We are also looking forward to partnering with Food for Free. It's an organization that's making a deep impact on the Boston community, and we can't wait to help them get the word out."

The creative and design team include Sharman Altshuler (Producer), Allison Olivia Choat (Director), Julie Marie Langevin (Production Manager), Emily Cuerdon (Stage Manager), Emily Rosser (Assistant Stage Manager), Jeffrey E. Salzberg (Lighting Design), David Wilson (Sound Design), David Lucey (Costume Design), Marian Bertone (Costume Design Consultant), Peter Mill (Wig Design), Cameron McEachern (Set Design/Properties Master), Dan Rodriguez (Music Director/Conductor), Thomas Carroll (Musical Consultant), Yoni Kahn (Musical Consultant), Nathaniel Jewett (Master Electrician), Lila West (Wardrobe Supervisor), Arielle Lipshaw (Dramaturg), Scene Shop: New England Scenic.

The show open on Nov. 25 and runs through Dec. 17 at the Boston Center for the Arts Plaza Theatre, 539 Tremont Street, Boston. Performances are Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays/Saturdays at 8 pm, Sat/Sun matinees 2 pm. Tickets are $50/$45 ($25 for under 25 and $15 student rush ½ hour prior to performance) available at bostontheatrescene.com or by calling 617-933-8600. To purchase tickets to Amadeus go to http://www.bostontheatrescene.com. To make an additional donation to support the work of Moonbox, go to http://www.razoo.com/story/Moonbox-Productions.

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