On The DL
The Tempest
Thu., May 17, 7:30 p.m., pay what you can; Fri.-Sun., May 18-20, 7:30 p.m., $15-$20, registration required, meet at the Ellsworth-Federal stop of the Broad Street Line, 215-386-2676, www.puppetuprising.org
|
Experimental dance, people speaking in tongues, paper-sculpture props and puppets do not necessarily lend themselves to use in Shakespeare's The Tempest, but theater companies Puppet Uprising and The Missoula Oblongata have embraced the challenge. And not only that — they're not telling where the performances will be held.
Interested theatergoers are asked only to arrive at the Ellsworth-Federal stop of the Broad Street Line at 7:30 p.m. on the night of the show. With a mandatory red carnation pinned to their chests, brave souls will recognize one another and, hopefully, chat. After a half-hour passes, a mysterious leader will whisk everyone away to an undisclosed location.
"With it being at a secret place, I think the whole atmosphere is going to be very participatory," says Morgan Andrews, co-founder of Puppet Uprising. "Everyone becomes a conspirator in the play."
Five theater companies — Miranda's 3, Shoddy Puppet Company, The Missoula Oblongata, Wham City and Black Willow Productions — will each perform one act, their approaches promising to be strikingly different. Some groups plan to interpret the text literally, while others will use homemade instruments. Philly-based Miranda's 3 will present the Bard's tale from a female perspective. Shoddy Puppet Company will use shadow puppets to "create interesting sensations," says Andrews, who is also the brains behind Shoddy. Brooklyn's Eagle Ager, a self-proclaimed "art team/sculpture band" making a brief appearance, will probably groove in cardboard bird costumes.
But no one can say for sure, because even the interpretations are secret. You can, however, count on at least 10 things: For each of the play's five acts, audience members will be treated to a dessert (vegan or nonvegan) and a drink (alcoholic or nonalcoholic). The choices, of course, are a surprise.
Also In This Week's Arts Agenda Section
Galleries
Museums/Exhibits
Performing Arts
Readings/Book Signings
Comments
Be the first to comment on this article.