A New York Times Critic’s Pick!
A “fantastical and often moving tribute to the composer Philip Glass and the power of art to flow through our lives.” Read the full review in The New York Times.
★★★★★ “A golden odyssey through Philip Glass’s music….. Every so often your eyes will fill with tears, for there is only so much that the human heart can hold within it.” — The Guardian, London
Iconic composer Philip Glass and celebrated performer/director Phelim McDermott (Improbable) have created legendary opera productions together throughout the world (Satyagraha, Akhnaten, and The Perfect American).
Tao of Glass is their most fantastical collaboration yet. This New York Premiere marries ten new works from Glass with ten theatrical meditations on life, death, and Taoist wisdom. Performed by McDermott with a virtuosic ensemble of musicians and puppeteers, Tao of Glass is a storytelling tapestry, underscored by Glass’s mesmerizing music, and shot through with Improbable’s trademark magical stagecraft.
Philip Glass has had an extraordinary and unprecedented impact on the musical and intellectual life of our times. His acclaimed works include symphonies, film scores, wide-ranging artistic collaborations, and such operas as Einstein on the Beach, Satyagraha, Akhnaten, and The Voyage. philipglass.com
Phelim McDermott is the Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Improbable. He has directed renowned productions around the globe (Shockheaded Peter, Beauty and the Beast), most recently the World Premiere of The Hours at the Metropolitan Opera, and the Royal Shakespeare Company’s newest musical extravaganza, My Neighbour Totoro.
Recommended for ages 12+.
Commissioned by Manchester International Festival, Improbable, Perth Festival, Ruhrfestspiele Recklinghausen, Hong Kong New Vision Arts Festival and Carolina Performing Arts – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in association with Naomi Milgrom AO. Produced by Manchester International Festival and Improbable. Tao of Glass originally premiered at Manchester International Festival 2019.
TRAILER
NYU COVID-19 SAFETY POLICY:
- All audience members must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive a COVID-19 booster shot to enter the theater.
- You may be asked to show proof of being fully vaccinated and boosted with an FDA-authorized or WHO-listed vaccine upon entry. Please be prepared to show proof of vaccination & booster with your photo ID if asked. Members of the NYU Community may gain entry by showing a VIOLET GO pass.
- It is strongly recommended that audience members wear a well-fitted mask while in the theater.
Policy subject to change without notice. Read the full policy & FAQs here.
PLEASE NOTE: By reserving tickets, you agree to these terms.
CREATIVE TEAM
Composer – Philip Glass
Writer & Co-Director – Phelim McDermott
Co-Director – Kirsty Housley
Designer – Fly Davis
Lighting Designer – Colin Grenfell
Sound Designer – Giles Thomas
Collaborator – Ragnar Freidank
Musical Director – Chris Vatalaro
Assistant Director – Jen Tan
Puppet Designer & Puppet Maker – Lyndie Wright
Design Associate – Camille Etchart
Sound Associate – Sorcha Steele
CAST
Performer, Phelim McDermott
Puppeteer and puppet captain, Sarah Wright
Puppeteer, Avye Leventis
Puppeteer, Dave Emmings
Puppeteer (swing), Janet Etuk
Musical Director and percussion, Chris Valataro
Violin, Laura Lutzke
Clarinet, Jack McNeill
Piano, Katherine Tinker
SUPPORT
NYU Skirball’s programs are made possible in part with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature; and by Howard Gilman Foundation; FACE Contemporary Theater and FUSED (French U.S. Exchange in Dance), programs of FACE Foundation in partnership with Villa Albertine; General Delegation of the Government of Flanders to the USA; Collins Building Services; Korean Cultural Center New York, Norwegian Consulate General in New York; Marta Heflin Foundation; Harkness Foundation for Dance; Mertz Gilmore Foundation; Aaron Copland Fund for Music; as well as our valued donors through memberships, commissioning, and Stage Pass Fund support.
