A Samba Spectacular
Gimme A Band, Gimme A Banana, follows the story of iconic 1940’s Brazilian Bombshell, Carmen Miranda, through the sounds of samba and experimental multi-disciplinary theatre. This era of Hollywood glam and cultural commodification is examined through Carmen’s experiences as one of the first Latina performers to immigrate to the United States and become a household name. This samba puppet spectacle is narrated through Carmen’s songs, which introduced Brazilian culture to the rest of the world, consecrating the actress as a Hollywood’s legendary “Lady in the Tutti Frutti Hat."
#districtofcarmen
RUN TIME: 70 Minutes with an Intermission | All Ages
“A big tip of a tropical-fruit-bedecked hat to Pointless Theatre for its distinctive and ebullient contribution to the Women’s Voices Theatre Festival.”
PRESS
DC Theatre Scene: Preview | Mel Bieler Interview | Patti Kalil Interview
"A kicky, colorful Carmen Miranda bio shows off Pointless Theatre Company's strongest assets...Pointless Theatre continues to be one of the most consistent young companies in town." - Washington City Paper
"...an intriguing and creative production that makes you see Carmen Miranda in a new light...this is a show not to miss." - Broadway World
ENSEMBLE & CREATIVE TEAM
Cast:
SHARALYS SILVA Carmen Miranda
PHILLIP DA COSTA Aloysio de Oliverio
BELÉN OYOLA-REBAZA Aurora Miranda
SCOTT WHALEN Lee Shubert/Jerry Lewis
AMANDA LEIGH CORBETT Baiana
ANGELEAZA ANDERSON Flower Girl
BRENDAN O'CONNELL Sebastian
DANIEL SMERIGLIO Dean Martin
REBECCA BALLINGER Ensemble
Creative Team:
MEL BIELER & PATTI KALIL Playwrights, Set & Puppets
ROBERTA ALVES & MATT RECKEWEG Co-Directors
PATRICIA VERGARA Music Director
LEX DAVIS Fight Director
FRANK LABOVITZ Costumes
CAMILLE PETRILLO Assistant Costume Design
NICK MARTIN Masks
MAX DOOLITTLE Lights
MICHAEL WINCH Sound
RENEE NYACK Stage Manager
Band: LIVALDI “BABAJAN” DA CRUZ, PABLO DE OLIVEIRA
CEYLON MITCHELL II, MICHEL NIRENBERG, TOM ROHDE
