“8th Annual Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival” reviewed by Julia W. Rath

***** The wizardry of puppetry has come to Chicago once again! The 8th Annual Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival is being held in and around the Chicago area through February 1st. For twelve straight days, over 100 shows and special events will showcase creative puppets from diverse countries and cultures, highlighting the unique talents of local, national, and international puppet artists. These presentations take place at various venues, on different dates and times. Please check the online schedule at https://chicagopuppetfest.org/ for detailed information about the various programs and how to purchase tickets for all events.

Opening night Wednesday, January 21st featured “Dead as a Dodo”, created by fan favorite Wakka Wakka, a combination Norwegian and New York visual theater company. The program took place at the Studebaker Theatre, in the Fine Arts Building, and was the fastest ninety minutes that I can ever remember! “Dead as a Dodo” takes place in the underworld, “where two skeleton friends, a Dodo and a boy, concerned about disappearing completely, notice something peculiar: the Dodo is miraculously sprouting feathers!” While the boy is especially concerned about losing his bones, Dodo is on the hunt to help his disintegrating friend obtain more of them. But so many others want these bones too! This is a dark comedy with superb lighting and visual effects, providing a feeling of motion throughout. I especially liked seeing the images of waves and what it means to be underwater! Most amazing is the lighted fish that consumes both the Dodo and the boy under orders from his master to save them. Singing and sound effects only add to the illusion. The sparkling black costumes, worn by the puppeteers, nicely blend into the background, such that the puppets seem to act on their own. As a consequence, the audience is drawn more and more into the story.

“Dead as a Dodo”, commissioned by the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, runs through Sunday, January 25th at the Studebaker Theatre, 410 S. Michigan Avenue.

General admission tickets: $48.
Students and seniors: $40.

Performance schedule:

Friday, January 23 – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 24 – 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 25 – 2:00 p.m.

Other shows in the festival include a diverse range of classic and contemporary puppetry styles from around the world, created by puppet artists from England, France, Norway, Denmark, India, Scotland, South Korea and Spain, as well as the United States, not to mention, Chicago. Each of these showcase different forms of traditional and contemporary puppet styles, from bunraku-style to shadow puppetry, marionettes to object-based works.

Most events range from $35 to $125, depending on venue, time, date, seat location, type of show, and whether one is an adult, student, or senior. There are also a few free book talks. Short films are $20 for adults; $15 for students and seniors.

Note that some venues may not be ADA accessible.

Visit http://chicagopuppetfest.org for tickets and information about a set of performances where innovative puppeteers meet up with creative inspiration.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at ” Chicago Puppet Theater Festival”