Isaac Mizrahi's Enduring Charm for "Peter & the Wolf"
For Isaac Mizrahi, the holiday tradition of "Peter & the Wolf" has become a yearly dream moment. Since 2007, he has been the show's narrator and costume designer, collaborating with choreographer John Heginbotham to bring this beloved children's tale to life.
Mizrahi first got involved with "Peter & the Wolf" after Charles Fabius, producer of Works & Process at the Guggenheim, asked him to narrate a production. Mizrahi was immediately drawn to the project's unique blend of music, dance, and storytelling. He proposed teaming up with Heginbotham, who he had previously worked with on other projects.
Their collaboration has resulted in a unique fusion of dance and narration, where each character is not only assigned an instrument but also a distinctive dance vocabulary. The bird, for example, moves to the flute with balletic precision, while the cat sways to the clarinet with jazzy flair.
One of the key factors behind the show's enduring appeal is its "poor theatre" aesthetic. Mizrahi explains that he aims to create a sense of simplicity and intimacy, using found objects and styling them together to create something beautiful. This approach has been praised by audiences and critics alike, who appreciate the show's DIY ethos and clever use of everyday materials.
When asked about his favorite reactions from children and adults, Mizrahi is effusive in his praise. He loves hearing kids squeal with delight as they catch a glimpse of a character or instrument, and he's thrilled to see adults rediscovering their own childhood wonder through the show.
Mizrahi also credits Heginbotham with bringing out the best in him, saying that their collaboration is all about finding common ground and working together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. He praises Heginbotham's choreography as a masterclass in elegance and restraint, which perfectly complements his own design aesthetic.
For Mizrahi, narrating "Peter & the Wolf" is not just a job – it's an opportunity to connect with audiences and transport them to a world of imagination and wonder. He confesses to loving the thrill of captivating young minds and maybe even scaring them a little bit. Who can resist the charms of this holiday classic?
This season, Works & Process at the Guggenheim New York presents "Peter & the Wolf," which opens on December 5 and runs through December 14 in the Peter B. Lewis Theater. With its unique blend of dance, narration, and storytelling, it's sure to delight audiences of all ages.
For Isaac Mizrahi, the holiday tradition of "Peter & the Wolf" has become a yearly dream moment. Since 2007, he has been the show's narrator and costume designer, collaborating with choreographer John Heginbotham to bring this beloved children's tale to life.
Mizrahi first got involved with "Peter & the Wolf" after Charles Fabius, producer of Works & Process at the Guggenheim, asked him to narrate a production. Mizrahi was immediately drawn to the project's unique blend of music, dance, and storytelling. He proposed teaming up with Heginbotham, who he had previously worked with on other projects.
Their collaboration has resulted in a unique fusion of dance and narration, where each character is not only assigned an instrument but also a distinctive dance vocabulary. The bird, for example, moves to the flute with balletic precision, while the cat sways to the clarinet with jazzy flair.
One of the key factors behind the show's enduring appeal is its "poor theatre" aesthetic. Mizrahi explains that he aims to create a sense of simplicity and intimacy, using found objects and styling them together to create something beautiful. This approach has been praised by audiences and critics alike, who appreciate the show's DIY ethos and clever use of everyday materials.
When asked about his favorite reactions from children and adults, Mizrahi is effusive in his praise. He loves hearing kids squeal with delight as they catch a glimpse of a character or instrument, and he's thrilled to see adults rediscovering their own childhood wonder through the show.
Mizrahi also credits Heginbotham with bringing out the best in him, saying that their collaboration is all about finding common ground and working together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. He praises Heginbotham's choreography as a masterclass in elegance and restraint, which perfectly complements his own design aesthetic.
For Mizrahi, narrating "Peter & the Wolf" is not just a job – it's an opportunity to connect with audiences and transport them to a world of imagination and wonder. He confesses to loving the thrill of captivating young minds and maybe even scaring them a little bit. Who can resist the charms of this holiday classic?
This season, Works & Process at the Guggenheim New York presents "Peter & the Wolf," which opens on December 5 and runs through December 14 in the Peter B. Lewis Theater. With its unique blend of dance, narration, and storytelling, it's sure to delight audiences of all ages.
i mean dont get me wrong its cute and all but its just so... repetitive 
every year its the same thing, peter and the wolf and the animals, its like theyre stuck in a loop 
plus i think the whole "poor theatre" aesthetic is just a fancy way of saying low budget 
and i dont see how using found objects and styling them together makes it any more special 
its just stuff. but hey im sure some ppl will still love it, who doesnt love a good childrens tale 
"Peter & the Wolf" is literally the most magical thing i just saw Isaac Mizrahi bringin life to this classic tale with his narration & design skills. The way he weaves music, dance, and storytelling together its like a dream ! 
And the costumes 
i mean how do they make those characters out of everyday stuff so clever! The DIY ethos is real tho 
makes me wanna get crafty 
John Heginbotham's choreography is pure perfection 
. This show is def a must see this holiday season ! 
. I love how he uses everyday objects to create this beautiful, intimate atmosphere 
. It's like stepping into a fairytale world where anything can happen 
.
. They're like two peas in a pod, creating something amazing together 
. The way they bring out each character's unique personality through dance and narration is genius 
.
. It's like reliving my own childhood wonder and magic 
? Mizrahi's enthusiasm is contagious, and I'm sure he'll continue to captivate audiences for years to come 
.
. Trust me, you won't want to miss it! It's going to be a wild ride full of wonder, magic, and maybe even a few squeals from the kids (and let's be real, adults too 
) #PeterAndTheWolf #IsaacMizrahi #WorksAndProcess #GuggenheimNewYork
meanwhile i'm over here thinking about our school's winter musical and how we need to bring some of that DIY magic into it 
we've all been in school playing instruments or watching a show with puppets and thinking "wow this is magical" and i think israel mizrahi's approach to bringing that back for us adults is genius 
he's not trying to make it too fancy or high art, but instead embracing the simplicity and joy of childhood 
and collaborating with john heginbotham to create a truly unique experience that brings out the kid in all of us 
. It's amazing that it still holds up as well as it does for both kids & adults - that says a lot about the timeless magic of this story 
Plus, seeing adults rediscover their childhood spark through this show is just the best 
For me, that's what theatre should be all about – bringing people together and making them feel something real 
️
!!! his costume design for the show is just wow every year i watch this performance with my family and we're always like wowed by his creativity 