Double Blind Sided, Words by G.B. Waldschmidt, Directed by Josephine Garibaldi and Paul Zmolek (2013).

Physical theater is a kind of theater where movement is considered to be equally as important as text. Movement in theater is obviously related to dance and it is no surprise that two of America's most active practitioners of physical theater both trained as dancers. Paul Zmolek and Josephine Garibaldi founded the Callous Physical Theater in 2004. Since that time, Garibadli and Zmolek have given numerous performances in the United States and Europe. In the spring of 2013 I collaborated with them in the creation of a new work, Double Blind Sided.

Any type of theater can make use of music. If one adds music to movement and text, one ends up with a kind of "opera." Double Blind Sided: Kafka's Creative Process (also known as DBS for short) is just such a work. The text for DBS was written by G.B. Waldschmidt. It places Franz Kafka's character Joseph K., from The Trail, in the center of the action. Joseph K. is held accountable for many of the atrocities of the 20th century, even those that occurred after his time. In addition to dealing with issues of importance in Europe between the two wars, DBS deals with love, death and betrayal in Viet Nam era America. The text contains numerous quotations, paraphrases and parodies. Waldschmidt's words create a web of post-modern connections. The music for DBS is also full of reference and quotation. The primary musical reference in the piece is to Mussorgky's Pictures at an Exhibition. Each scene is based on a different movement from that work. Quotations from Afghan folk songs and American patriotic music are also to be found.

Double Blind Sided, Finale: Civil War (excerpt).