Mutters of Rockaway

Combining literature and movement, this choreography portrays the relationship from Maureen Cummin’s artist book “Far Rockaway- A Romantic Correspondance” —a tale of queer men in the early 1900’s grappling with love in a society tearing them apart. A story which is believed to be true and is sourced from found letters written by the character under the alias “Jules” to his young lover under the alias of “Ben” whose voice is never heard. The empty puzzle pieces of Jules’ voice are left unanswered as Ben’s perspective is left to our imaginations.

This work focuses on the eternal bond of a love so deep despite the desire to escape. The use of the sheet depicts many ideas including society’s judgmental gaze, communication across distance, lust between lovers, and the bond of love itself.

The sound score is sourced from references from Cummin’s description of the letters as the relationship is said to imitate that from the 1962 film “Lolita” inspiring a song from the “Lolita” soundtrack to play behind John Keats’ poetic work, a writer Jules is fond of and references often in his letters.

Cast Presented: Cloris Tan & Libby Bonthala
Original Cast: Maya Malaby & Brooklyn Jara
Music: “Stardust” Ennio Moricone
Poetry: “Ode On a Grecian Urn” John Keats (reading by Richard Mitchley)