Runo in the Rock

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

I am driven by my longing,
And my understanding urges
That I should commence my singing;
And begin my recitation.
I will sing the people’s legends,
And the ballads of the nation.
To my mouth the words are flowing,
And the words are gently falling,
Quickly as my tongue can shape them,
And between my teeth emerging
— Runo 1, Kalevala, Kirby Translation

An incredible journey awaits you at the Cape Ann Museum. Inspired by Kalevala, the national epic of Finland, this interwoven, open form production presents the tales and folklore of a remarkable culture - the Finns of Gloucester. Join the quest to uncover a mysterious treasure, interact with characters and wonder at the stories all around us that linger just below the surface, if we will but look.

Cape Ann Museum - 27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA 01930

Parking - Across the street from the Museum.

The Cape Ann Museum is ADA mobility accesible.

Participants are encouraged to wear a mask or face-covering.
Please respect and maintain a distance of six feet or more between unrelated groups.
If you or anyone in your group feels unwell or has symptoms of COVID-19, please visit the Museum another day.

Production
Director/Writer/Producer - Carly Dwyer
Dramaturge - Kristin Harris
Narrative Flow - Jennifer Emerson

Cast
Dr. Elias Lonnröt/Väinämöinen - Joey Phoenix
Lemminkäinen - Garrett Reynolds
Louhi - Ashley Nunez
Kyllikki - Ashley Skeffington
Ilmarinen - William Ryder Johnston

We would like to thank Miranda Aisling and the Cape Ann Museum for their support and access to their archives and facilities, the Natti Family for sharing their art, their sauna, their family stories and their family translation of the Kalevala with us, the Cape Ann Finns for your support, resources and enthusiasm, Dogtown Books for helping us access some hard to find books, the Sawyer Free Library for being super hero librarians and Virgilios for all the nisu.