A haunting folktale of sisterhood, enchantment, and salvation, Goblin Market is based on the widely popular poem of Christina Rossetti. Told through the lens of the Depression-era South by NYC performer Jennifer Jewell with an original bluegrass score by Nashville based producer Chris Tench, the production is directed by Mark Cabus and co-directed by Patrick Mulryan. After its critically acclaimed premiere in Nashville, JJewell Productions’ Goblin Market will be presented at the 59E59 Theater in New York between July 14 and 16 as part of the East to Edinburgh Festival. Right after that, the production will be heading to Europe. The one-woman show is an official entry in the 2017 Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, running for three weeks at the Royal Terrace.

A Critics’ Pick of The Nashville Scene Goblin Market was described as an “example of heroic literature with a female protagonist”, “a marvel of ripe imagery and strong storytelling, a cult hit” and a “brooding, atmospheric adaptation” praising Jennifer as a “gifted” storyteller delivering a “tour-de-force” performance. According to The Tennessean “Jennifer Jewell brings Christina Rossetti’s narrative fable “Goblin Market” to life in a way that is both fresh and familiar…an enchanting solo piece.”

In addition to Jewell the creative team includes Mark Cabus (director), Patrick Mulryan (co-director, voice coach), Allison Plamondon (choreographer), G. Warren Stiles (lighting design), Chris Tench (original music) Brett Ryan Stewart & The Sounds Shelter (mixing and mastering), Adam Boncz (production coordinator), Bridge Coffman (assistant stage manager), Christine Economos (quilt), and Nancy Dement (costumer).

Jennifer Jewell’s solo show Goblin Market is headed to the 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe later this summer. But first, Jewell performed her solo show at 59E59 Theatres in NYC. And if the Edinburgh audience is as captivated by Jewell’s performance as I was, then she’s poised for success. Christina Rossetti’s narrative poem “Goblin Market,” written in 1862, tells of two sisters — Laura and Lizzie — who encounter a group of goblins selling wondrous fruits in every variety. Steadfast Lizzie knows that the goblin’s wares are perilous and only bring sorrow; but Laura, curious and longing, samples the goblin’s treacherous fruits. The next day, Laura no longer hears the goblin’s calls, and, yearning for more of their wonderful fruit, she falls ill and seems in danger of death. Courageously, Lizzie decides to confront the goblins in order to save her sister’s life. Jennifer Jewell plays both sisters and all five goblins as she recites and enacts Rossetti’s poem. Jewell and her collaborators, director Mark Cabus and co-director Patrick Mulryan, have changed the piece’s setting to the Smoky Mountains and added a score by Chris Tench that reflects Jewell’s Tennessee mountain upbringing. Cho …Read more