Schedule
HostsWays to Give
HomePlaylistSchedule
HostsEventsOn DemandOur StoryOur TeamWays to Give Become a Sponsor
How to ListenVisit Help CenterContact Us

Find Us on Social Media:

Logo image

Find Us on Social Media:

Download Our Mobile App:

google play icon

About

HomePlaylistSchedule
HostsOn DemandOur StoryOur Team

Community

EventsWays to Give Become a SponsorPressDiversity StatementCareersAnnual EEO ReportDigital Accessibility

Help

Visit Help CenterContact UsHow to Listen

©2025 Classical California

Sweepstakes RulesFCC ComplianceLocal Public FilesCPB ComplianceAnnual EEO ReportPrivacy PolicyCode of Integrity

articles / Pop Culture

The Long Journey of ‘Iron Shoes’

Pop CultureThe State of the Arts

A folk opera based on a trio of fairy tales is about to have its world premiere at the Ashby Stage in Berkeley. It’s called Iron Shoes, and began as a song cycle for the Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble by one of its singers, and co-director, Janet Kutulas. Each of the stories includes a character who has to wander the earth wearing iron shoes. Director/choreographer Erika Chong Shuch and playwright/librettist Michelle Carter have turned it into a piece for a cast of 15.

The Long Journey of ‘Iron Shoes’
00:00

There’s more information about the show at the Shotgun Players website.

Two of the stories are from Russia, and one was from Romania; Erika Chong Shuch says that the 10 or so songs that Kutulas wrote led to them wanting to do more with the material. “They quickly learned that they wanted to use that material towards the creation of a more interdisciplinary performance work. So they brought me in a couple of years ago to figure out how to take those songs, and make something that brings in dancers and actors, and here we are!” She says Michelle Carter’s work was cut out for her, finishing the narrative. “Janet’s songs all followed the stories from the beginning to the middle. And then we were left with what happens from the middle to the end of the fairy tale, so that was really our work.” Rather than just singing, the members of Kitka join with the actors and dancers in filling many roles. “The thing about this ensemble is that they do everything. So at times they function as a chorus. Somebody can get pushed downstage, and then put on a hat, and suddenly they’re a dad. The ensemble is really nimble, they move in and out of character. Because I think that there are something like 30 characters that are being represented. And then we have five people within a 15 person ensemble that are consistent characters from beginning to end.” By the time the stories evolved and intertwined, Shuch says Iron Shoes had become much more. “As much as we are telling the story of these fairytales, we became more interested in telling a story about storytelling. Who gets to tell a story, and what is it to tell somebody’s story who lives in the world in a really different way than you.”

Pop CultureThe State of the Arts
Written by:
Jeffrey Freymann
Jeffrey Freymann
Published on 05.11.2018
Loading...

MORE LIKE THIS

The Marvelous Adventure of Jazz

The Marvelous Adventure of Jazz

Jamaican-born pianist Monty Alexander Trio to perform at the Jazz Experience at the Lesher Center this Saturday. Alexander shares his inspirations and approach to music.

05/11/2018
The Incalculable Influence of Debussy

The Incalculable Influence of Debussy

Stephen Hough performs a recital featuring Debussy and Beethoven at Herbst Theatre on January 18. Hough discusses his lifelong love for Debussy's revolutionary approach to piano music.

05/11/2018
The Return of PIVOT’s Creative Performers

The Return of PIVOT’s Creative Performers

Composer-pianist Timo Andres is set to perform in San Francisco Performances’ PIVOT series, accompanying the L.A. Dance Project and playing a solo recital. He'll also discuss Philip Glass's music with Kronos Quartet.

05/11/2018
Cappella SF and the Songs of Sirens

Cappella SF and the Songs of Sirens

"Cappella SF presents 'Sirens: Songs from the Bay', featuring works by Mason Bates, ensemble singers, and Villa Lobos. The concert explores alluring songs in five languages."

05/11/2018
The Intimacy of Chamber Music

The Intimacy of Chamber Music

Violinist Pinchas Zukerman performs with his trio in the Bay Area, followed by sonatas at three venues. He emphasizes the importance of chamber music in developing young musicians.

09/19/2017
The Drama of Mozart

The Drama of Mozart

Austrian pianist Rudolf Buchbinder explores Mozart's dramatic side with the San Francisco Symphony, emphasizing the importance of understanding a composer's life to truly grasp their music.

04/26/2017