Chicago Puppet Fests presents:
Herman Melville’s magnificent monster work of literature is also a monster in puppetry. Experience Moby Dick like never before at this Chicago premiere, direct from France and Norway, created by the masters that brought Chicago Ashes and Chambre Noire. Seven actors, 50 puppets, video projections on smoke, an octobass, and a whale-sized whale all play a part in this simple story of a sea voyage, turning it into a dizzying dive into the inexplicable mysteries of life, through Melville’s irresistible narrative and the incredible artistry of Plexus Polaire.
Dates/Times:
Wednesday, January 18 at 7:30pm
Friday, January 20 at 7:30pm
Saturday, January 21 at 5pm
Location: Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Ave.
Cost: $45/$35 students & seniors
Ages: 14 and up (Family Friendly)
Running Time: 85 mins
ADA Accessible? Yes
Yngvild Aspeli, artistic director of Plexus Polaire, develops a visual world that brings our most buried feelings to life. The use of life-sized puppets is at the center of her work, but the actor’s performance, the presence of the music and the use of light and video are all equal elements in communicating the story. “Puppetry is a form that constantly is reinventing itself,” says Aspeli. “It goes beyond “genre”, and fearlessly crosses the borders of other artistic expressions. Puppetry is not only a form, it is a way of seeing the world, a language, a state of mind.” plexuspolaire.com
The Studebaker Theater is located within the Chicago Fine Arts Building and originally opened as Studebaker Hall in 1898. The theatre underwent a major remodel in late 1917 and reopened as the Studebaker Theater. Used exclusively as a movie theatre from December 1982, it closed in November 2000, underwent restoration during 2014-15, and reopened as a live entertainment and events venue in October 2015.
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The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival advances the art of puppetry by presenting sophisticated programs vital to the cultural life of Chicago. Engaging and inspiring the largest and most diverse audiences for puppetry possible, the Festival is the biggest event dedicated to puppetry in North America and traditionally offers more than 100 activities annually including performances, workshops, artist instensives, free neighborhood events and symposia to audiences up to 14,000 over 11 days each January. The organization is also home to other key initiatives, including the Chicago Puppet Studio and Chicago Puppet Lab, that nurture the development of puppeteers and deepen the field locally, nationally and internationally with the ultimate goal of promoting peace, equality, mutual understanding, and justice locally and globally.
Administrative Office:
312-753-3234
info@chicagopuppetfest.org
Mailing Address:
Fine Arts Building
410 S Michigan Ave, Studio 310
Chicago, IL 60605
© 2023 Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. All rights reserved. Site by Silver Egg Studios.
