The Museum of Desire and Flowers in a Corner
Recent Press
The Museum of Desire
By Robert Isenberg, Pittsburgh City Paper, November 13, 2008
Precisely 11 years ago, I was introduced to John Berger's Ways of Seeing, a slim manifesto about art theory, and I have never highlighted a book so fiercely. In only 155 pages, Ways of Seeing changed not only how I approach art, but my entire perception of the world. Read more...
Art, music, Audience Objects of Quantum’s ‘Museum of Desire’
By Christopher Rawson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 12, 2008
Heard melodies are sweet," Keats wrote, "but those unheard are sweeter." Take that as one key to "The Museum of Desire," a Quantum Theatre world premiere devised by director Dan Jemmett and his actors that mixes questioning prose, arresting verbal images, articulate actor guides, an actual museum of rare delicacies -- and even live, heard music. Read more...
Frick Hosts Meditation on Art in ‘Desire’
By Alice T. Carter, Tribune Review, November 11, 2008
Quantum Theatre prides itself on coloring outside the lines. Its fans know -- and look forward to -- nontraditional productions in unusual and unfamiliar spaces that defy established theatrical categories. The results often are compelling to watch but difficult to describe. Read more...
Quantum Theatre offers a variety of art in ‘Museum of Desire’
By Alice T. Carter, Tribune Review, November 6, 2008
Director Dan Jemmett is back in town to create another theatrical evening for Quantum Theatre.
Read more...
Theater in the Galleries: Quantum debuts Museum of Desire & Flowers in a Corner at the Frick
Pop City, November 5, 2008
Based on the stories of celebrated and influential English art critic, novelist, painter, and author John Berger, Quantum’s latest provocative production blends theatre, music and visual art. Read more...
Notes From Underground
By Leah Hager Cohen, New York Times Book Review, November 2, 2008
Over the past half-century John Berger has written some 30 volumes of fiction, poetry, journalism and essays; won the Booker and James Tait Black Memorial Prizes; and starred in the BBC series on which his seminal aesthetic text, “Ways of Seeing,”is based. Read more...
The Museum of Desire
By Sarah Hall, Frick Art & Historical Center, October 28, 2008
"The Frick is currently in the midst of an exciting creative collaboration with Quantum Theatre. Director Dan Jemmett and the players of 404 Strand are developing a unique theatrical experience that will take place in the “Green Gallery” of The Frick Art Museum." Read more...
From short stories by John Berger
Directed by Dan Jemmett, Devised by the company, 404 Strand
November 6–November 23, 2008
Frick Art & Historical Center
John Berger is an elder statesman of the art world—critic, painter, and Booker Prize-winning author. He entrusts his short stories The Museum of Desire and Flowers in a Corner to director Dan Jemmett for translation into a unique theatrical premiere. Quantum stages this multi-dimensional experience at the Frick Art & Historical Center, a setting that perfectly evokes desire. Jemmett’s devised production places viewers in the hands of a surreal museum guide, who seduces with a private collection of fantastical objects and a promise of immortality.
Cast
Desiree Davis
Desiree Davis is a native of Pittsburgh and has trained under noted choreographers such as the late Shona Sharif, Assane Konte, Kadiatou Conte-Forte, Chuck Davis, Kevin Iega Jeff, Ally Sylla, MaBenta Bagoura, and Ronald K. Brown. Desiree has performed with the Shona Sharif African Dance Ensemble, the Kankouran West African Dance Company in Washington, DC, and the Pittsburgh Dance Ensemble, where she served as the lead dance instructor and principle dancer. Desiree is currently the Director of Dance at Mount Ararat Baptist Church where she leads in choreography and movement under the direction of Dwayne Fulton, Minister of Music and the leadership of Reverend Dr. William H. Curtis, Senior Pastor. Desiree is honored to work with Quantum Theatre, Dan Jemmett, and 404 Strand.
Andrew Hachey
Andrew Hachey is a performer, writer and director from Toronto whose work has appeared on stage and screen across Canada and beyond. Selected theatre credits include Michael Ondaatje's The Collected Works of Billy the Kid (Quantum Theatre, Pittsburgh; Festival de Otoño, Madrid), Benjamin in The Graduate (The Grand Theatre), Last Days of Graceland (Theatre Passe Muraille), The Golden Thug (Buddies in Bad Times), and Ted Hughes' Tales From Ovid (Centaur Theatre). Film credits include Runaway (The CW), Silver Road (Broken Frame Films), The Last New Year (The Nightingale Company) and Warriors of Terra (Peace Arch Films). He is a founding member of the performance/theatre collective 404 Strand based in Pittsburgh, PA. After Museum of Desire and Flowers in a Corner, he will be returning to Toronto to direct 6AM Tango’s production of Kate Hewlett’s Humans Anonymous for The Next Stage Festival. He is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada in Montreal.
John Fitzgerald Jay
John Fitzgerald Jay has worked in theatre and film in the USA, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Some of his previous theatre work includes Gaslight, I Oughta Be In Pictures (Festival Antigonish), The Collected Works of Billy the Kid (Quantum Theatre, Pittsburgh; Festival de Otoño, Madrid), 36 Views (Actor’s Repertory Company), Dog Face (Quantum Theatre, Pittsburgh; Festival de Otoño, Madrid), Enoch Arden (The Theatre Centre), Measure for Measure, Love’s Labour’s Lost (Resurgence Theatre Company), Indian Ink (Canadian Stage and The National Arts Centre), Pericles (Festival of Classics), A Flea in Her Ear (Soulpepper Theatre Company), Corker, Stolen Lives (Blyth Festival). John has recently finished curating the Nuit Blanche in Cabbagetown part of Toronto’s annual all-night contemporary art event.
Rick Kemp
Rick Kemp is originally from London and has received numerous awards in Europe and the U.S. for his work as an actor and director. Work in England includes Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oxford Playhouse, Almeida Theatre, Theatre de Complicite, and his own company, Commotion. In America he has co-written and directed three shows for Squonk Opera, directed Hamlet and Riddley Walker at The REP, and Shrew and The Comedy of Errors for Unseam'd Shakespeare. This is his eighth show with Quantum, having performed most recently in Cymbeline, Le Grand Meaulnes, and The Collected Works of Billy the Kid in Pittsburgh and at Madrid’s Festival de Otoño.
Kristin Slaysman
Kristin Slaysman was last seen in Pittsburgh in Quantum Theatre's The Collected Works of Billy the Kid. New York theater includes We Give Up (Baryshnikov Arts Center, 2009), Brokenbrow (Drama League, Lincoln Center) and Bloody Mary (Third Man Productions), as well as performances in venues across New York City including the Public Theater, St. Ann's Warehouse, PS 122, Chashama, Ars Nova, and the HERE Arts Center. Regionally Kristin has appeared in Edible Oils and Fats (Long Wharf Theatre), BFE (Portland Center Stage), The Count of Monte Cristo (Sight Unseen), and internationally in The Collected Works of Billy the Kid (Festival de Otoño, Madrid), and in Wau Wau Sisters (Edinburgh International Theatre Festival). She graduated from Northwestern University's theater program and trains with Upright Citizen's Brigade, Hollywood Aerial Arts and the SITI Company.
Locations & Directions
Frick Art & Historical Center
7227 Reynolds Street in Point Breeze
Pittsburgh PA 15208
Parking is available in the adjacent museum lot.
On-street parking is also available.
Visit the Frick Art & Historical Center's website for directions to the center, or use Google Maps to plot your route.
Use Google SMS to get directions sent to your phone:
Text: “Directions 7227 Reynolds St, Pittsburgh, PA from [ your zip code ]” to 466453.
Example: Directions 7227 Reynolds St, Pittsburgh, PA from 15234
Note: Normal text messaging rates apply. No additional charges added.
Port Authority buses serve the Point Breeze area. Current schedules, fares and routes for public transit are available from the Port Authority of Allegheny County.
You can also plan a trip by visiting Google Transit.
Age Appropriateness
Suitable for high school aged students and older.
Accessibility
Please call Quantum at 412.697.2929 for more information.
Nearby Dinner Options
Pre-show dining is available at The Café at the Frick. Dinner is available on performance nights, with seatings beginning at 5 p.m. Reservations are required; please phone The Cafe at 412.371.0600.
Buy tickets online or call 412.394.3353.
Performances
A completely unusual evening! Two audience bookings per night, 7-9 and 8-10, will overlap with an hour of additional artistic adventures.
Press/Opening Night
Friday November 7 with champagne reception following the 8pm performance.
Roundtable Review
Sunday November 9 with post-show discussion following the 8pm performance.
Regular Run Schedule
Wednesdays thru Sundays
Please note that there is NO LATE SEATING for this performance.
Tickets
$35 on Opening Night
$25 on Wednesday and Sunday
$28 on Thursday and Friday
$30 on Saturday
Receive $2 off with a valid Frick membership—be sure to mention when ordering.
There are a limited number of $15 student tickets available for select performances (with valid ID).
Members of TIX for Teachers, the Mattress Factory, and WYEP are eligible for discounted tickets. Receive $2 off with a valid ID—be sure to mention when ordering.
Please note: these offers are not valid in combination with other discounts.
Buy tickets online or call 412.394.3353.
Experience Quantum
Box Office
Ticketing is handled by ProArtsTickets.
Monday to Friday 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Saturday 12–5:30 p.m.
412.394.3353 or buy tickets online.