Humboldt's Current

1977–1980

Theater

About the Production

Humboldt's Current is a portrait of the prototypical 19th Century explorer inspired by Alexander Von Humboldt, among others. Constructed as a collage of non linear scenes following Humboldt's restless quest for a mythical beast and his encounters with other worlds. It is the portrait of Western man blinded by reason and his inability to connect with himself. He is tragically doomed by his quest because what he seeks is within himself not without.

Dedicated to Meredith Monk.

Production Team And Cast

Conceived, Written and Directed by

Ping Chong

Assistant Director

Gail Turner

Production Manager

Edith DeLuca

Lighting Design

Tony Giavanetti

Photography

Tobey Sanford

Production Design

Jerilea Zempel

Film by

Meredith Monk

Technical Director

Jean-Claude Ribes

Cast

Gail Turner, Paul Langland, John Miglietta, Jeannie Hutchins, Rodney Garbato, Pablo Vela, Tone Blevins, Anne Gentry, Charles Horne

Performance History

Premiere

Daniel Nagrin Studio Theatre, New York, NY (April 1977)

Tours

La MaMa E.T.C., New York, NY (March 1978)
New Theatre Festival, Baltimore, MD (June 1979)
Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN (December 1979)
Holland Festival, Amsterdam, Holland (1980)