The Conference of the Birds a jazz musical based on the 12th Century Sufi fable by Farid ud-Din Attar. The story recounts the longing of a group of 30 birds, led by a hoopoe, who journey toward the mystical land of Simorgh. Each bird has a special talent and significance but, one by one, they want to drop out – each offering an excuse why they are unable to endure the journey. When they finally arrive in the land of Simorgh — all they see there are each other and the reflection of the thirty birds in a lake.   The YSKP production of The Conference of the Birds is a musical adaptation of the acclaimed 1970’s play by Peter Brook that also features both hand-held and large puppets, the poems of Rumi and movement inspired by the Sufi tradition.

We puzzle over the meaning of a painting

or a book.

When what we’re wanting to see

and understand

In this world, we are that.

Crew

Director – John Fleming
Composer and Musical Director – Neal Kirkwood
Puppets – D. Tristan Cupp
Costumer and Art Director – Pierre Nagley
Dance Choreographer – Tricia Gelmini
Song Lyrics – John Fleming
Musicians – Neal Kirkwood, Harry Mann, Skip Leeds, Mike Kremer, Claire Heister, Joshua Seitz, Shane Smith