LIVE THEATER LIVE STREAM- Cabinet of Curiosity Presents THE FAREWELL FABLES: SATELLITES, SONGS AND CEREAL Review – The Gods Are Disappointed with Us

Never at a loss for a framing good story, Cabinet of Curiosity Director Frank Maugeri and writer Seth Bockley contrived that the old elemental gods representing fire, wind, air and earth are disappointed with mankind.  Humans have not turned out as the gods intended, so they (four huge two-dimensional cut-outs that could have come from the studio of Andy Warhol) collaborate to abandon earth.  But mankind (a splendid cast of five musicians and puppeteers) tries to entice a change of minds by reconstructing several events from human history.  The story of Adam and Eve is a set-up concocted by Eve, who is the first human capable of self-reflection.  Moby Dick is an epic story, but Moby is evil and our Ahab/Charley is a gentle accountant on a fishing trip.  Sending a hapless Russian dog, Laika, to die in space is an operatic tribute to the under accomplishment of space programs.

THE FAREWELL FABLES is classic Cabinet of Curiosity

THE FAREWELL FABLES is full of physical performance, puppetry, singing, familiar and unfamiliar instruments and lots of whimsy.  The room in Links Hall is a large box, 2/3 flat stage and 1/3 gently rising seats.  The performance is intimate, so nary a movement is missed.  Classical elements of Cabinet of Curiosity’s performances abound--large and small suitcase-like boxes open to become a mini-stage upon the stage.  Panels slide out of the boxes for scenery.  Three large upright paper scrolls excitingly painted by Kira Schnitzler and hand turned by three cast members tell the Charley’s story of a sea voyage run amuck.  Puppeteer Lindsey Noel Whiting’s whale tries to egg Charley on, spewing the wrathful words of Ahab originally spoken to the whale.  Whole characters are created with only a hand-manipulated face puppet.

Of the three fables, the first with Eve and the Snake appealed the most to this reviewer.  That is because the strong performances by Time Brickey as the Snake and Kasey Foster’s Eve featured on the uncluttered stage.  The lines were droll and funny, and delivered with precision.

For lovers of puppet and physical theater, Cabinet of Curiosity productions are a must see.  THE FAREWELL FABLES do not disappoint.

RECOMMENDED

THE FAREWELL FABLES: satellites, songs and cereal
Conceived and directed by Frank Maugeri
Text by Seth Bockley
“Whale Song” by Lindsey Noel Whiting Starring Time Brickey, Kasey Foster, John MacGaffey Diane Mair, Jasmine Richman and Lindsey Noel Whiting

Puppets by Jesse Mooney Bullock and Kass Copeland

Devices by Milam Smith
Music by Jefferey Thomas
Music for Laika’s Return by Kevin O’Donnell
Lighting by David Goodman-Edberg
Costumes by Gillian Gryzlak and Susan Haas

Stage Management by Jamie Kreppein
Understudy Jessica Kearney

Spring Apprentices include Rebecca Husk, Fletcher Wolfe, Connor Konz, Cy Pak, Tirzah Lawson

Suggested Donation--

$25+

Photos by Chris Andrews

Note: Picture This Post reviews are excerpted by Theatre in Chicago

Reviewer Ann Boland is committed to Chicago theater. Involved in the audience since the early 80’s, she’s witnessed firsthand the rise of our theater scene, our exceptional local talent, and the vigor of each new generation.  Ann handles public relations for authors and works on programs to help seniors with neurological movement disorders.  Please visit her website for more information.  

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