About the Show

Rising Sun Performance Company presents this world premiere drama about a young girl who grows up in a brothel in 19th century France. Part of the 2018 Planet Connections Festivity.

The only world Clérèse has ever known is the Parisian brothel where her mother, Magdith, works as a prostitute. Magdith desperately struggles to protect Clérèse from growing up too fast and out of the clutches of her volatile father. Everything is shaken when a young man arrives at the brothel with his master and Clérèse’s belly begins to grow. Could it be that she will give birth to one of the fantastical elephants that her new love has told her of?

Critic Reviews (1)

"Cantisano shines as the innocent, indestructible Clérèse. Men have written quite a lot of plays about prostitution, so the female-driven ensemble’s work is quite refreshing—both emotionally accessible and bittersweet. 'Éléphant' shows it is possible to be thirteen and female and bold and pregnant and happy and still have faith. Squitieri and Hogan expertly juggle a large, busy ensemble...This play offers a glimpse into the true power of a young person’s imagination."
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Trailer

Creative team