Théâtre de L’Entrovert & Chicago Puppet Fest present:
A marionette made of ice will melt your heart in Anywhere, an exquisite, landmark string-marionette work created by the French company Théâtre de l’Entrouvert. Freely inspired by Henry Bauchau’s novel “Oedipus on the Road,” Anywhere evokes the long wandering of Oedipus accompanied by his daughter Antigone. The fallen Oedipus appears in the form of an ice puppet that gradually melts, then appears as mist and finally disappears in the forest, the place of clairvoyance. Anywhere traces with gentleness and strength a poetic journey, in black and white, of fire and ice, which speaks to us about our bodies, our environment, our fragilities, and our wanderings in the infinite circle of renewal.
The Chicago Puppet Festival and Théâtre de l’Entrouvert are working in close collaboration setting this work on a U.S.-based ensemble, led by Chicago puppeteers Mark Blashford and Ashwaty Chennatt, who are traveling to Ales, France this winter to observe performances of the work in Ales and learn the complexities of performing with ice. Following its debut, the Chicago Puppet Festival plans to tour the work nationally starting in 2023.
With special support from: Ferdi Foundation/Julie Moller, Jentes Family Foundation, Justine Jentes & Dan Karuna, and the Manaaki Foundation
Dates/Times:
Thursday, January 19 at 7:30pm
Friday, January 20 at 7:30pm
Saturday, January 21 at 7:30pm
Sunday, January 22 at 4pm
Monday, January 23 at 2pm
Location: The Chopin Theatre (mainstage), 1543 W. Division St.
Cost: $40/$30 students & seniors
Ages: 12 and up
Running Time: 50 mins
ADA Accessible? Yes
Théâtre de l’Entrouvert was created in 2010 by Elise Vigneron trained in plastic arts, circus arts and puppetry arts (graduate of the École Nationale Supérieure de la Marionnette in Charleville-Mézières). At the crossroads of disciplines, the Théâtre de l’Entrouvert supports a contemporary vision of the puppetry arts, while drawing inspiration from its origins. lentrouvert.com
According to the Theater Historical Society of America, the Chopin Theatre building opened March 1918 and was designed by architects Worthmann & Steinbach. Originally built as a nickelodeon with 546 seats it was operated by Victor Bardonski. In 1923 it was renamed the Harding and seating was expanded to 987. By 1931 it was again called Chopin Theatre but underwent another name change to Pix Theater. The building is located across the Polish Triangle in the area once named Polish Downtown.
In 1955 the building’s named changed to Security Federal Savings & Loan but the bank later relocated across the street. When the Dyrkacz Family purchased the building in 1990, it was vacant except for the small 200 sf Eddie’s Bistro. After operating briefly as At the Gallery Theater, it once again became Chopin Theatre. The Dyrkacz’s have gradually restored the building to its present charm and today it houses the Main Stage (200), Cabaret Studio with Pregnant Buffalo Lounge (50-150), a cafe and art gallery.
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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.
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