Also this issue: Music Man James Sugg finds songwriting method amid madness. -Juliet Fletcher Coming Out of the Dark A move into white for Thomas Chimes and vibrant work from Stuart Netsky light up Locks Gallery. -Robin Rice Curtis Opera Theatre's French Comic One Acts -David Shengold River North Chicago Dance Company -Janet Anderson Funky Junk Auction/Bike Parts Art Raid -Debra Auspitz City of Angels -David Anthony Fox Fiction -Toby Zinman The Tempest -Toby Zinman

April 10-16, 2003

artpicks

Preston Foerder

If local resources like Mum Puppettheatre and Spiral Q haven't convinced you that puppeteering is an art, and not simply children's entertainment, check out puppeteer Preston Foerder's performance at the Sedgwick Cultural Center this weekend. The first hint that this is far from kiddie-birthday-party fare is the Sedgwick's decision not to admit anyone under the age of 16. Foerder is presenting two pieces, Works in Regress and Slovenly Peter. Works is a series of sketches about life, ranging from lovely vignettes to dark commentaries. Scenes include a goldfish in his bowl, watching his owners commit adultery and murder, among other sins.

Slovenly Peter is based on Heinrich Hoffmann's Struwwelpeter, a dark 19th-century children's book designed to negate the sweet morality tales on the times. Grimmer than Grimm's, Hoffmann's tales often end in violence. Mark Twain translated Hoffmann's book into English, and now Foerder has taken the book's hilarious and disgusting tales and used them for his inspiration. (Foerder is offering an all-ages show with lighter fare on Sunday.)

Preston Foerder, Sat., April 12, 8 p.m., 16+, and Sun., April 13, 3 p.m., all ages, $6-$18, Sedgwick Cultural Center, 7137 Germantown Ave., 215-248-9229.

—Debra Auspitz