'JULIA PASTRANA' Kicks Off Tympanic Theatre's 7th Season Tonight
With its seventh season, Tympanic introduces you to two outcasts striving to be a part of society in very different ways. A woman with a rare genetic condition joins a freak show under the pretense of false romance. A young man blazes a trail of blood and destruction through the American West, believing it's the only way to become truly human. The tragic, yet touching characters in this season's exciting lineup of shows explore the lengths people are willing to go to become "one of us," and if it is truly worth it in the end.
In the Fall, the Midwest premiere of...
THE TRUE HISTORY OF THE TRAGIC LIFE AND TRIUMPHANT DEATH OF JULIA PASTRANA, THE UGLIEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD
by Shaun Prendergast
TONIGHT, September 26th through October 19th at Berger Park Coach House 6205 N. Sheridan Rd.
In life, Julia Pastrana was afflicted with hypertrichosis, a rare genetic condition that causes hair to grow over the entire body. She joined the ranks of her abusive husband's freak show, becoming famous throughout the world as "The Ape Woman." In death, people realized she was so much more than that-a Mexican woman who spoke three languages; an exceptional dancer who yearned to be a mother. Shaun Prendergast's Midwestern premiere explores both sides of her story in a surreal, fractured fashion similar to The Elephant Man. Performed in total darkness, The True History... challenges audiences to build their own perception of Julia Pastrana, and imagine the horror of her experience themselves.
And in the Spring, the world premiere of...
SANDALWOOD
co-produced with the side project by Dan Caffrey
directed by Aaron Henrickson
April 2014 at the side project (1439 W. Jarvis Ave.)
When a young man blazes a trail of blood and destruction throughout the American West, his father embarks on a quest to stop him. But as he makes his way through the ghost towns his son has visited, he questions how evil the boy's intentions truly are, and if his terrible acts are somehow bringing him closer to humanity. Exploring the genetic inheritance of sin and violence, this true Western with elements of the fantastical is being produced in collaboration with the side project.
The Tympanic Theatre Company is dedicated to producing new and developed work with fantastical, frightening, or absurd subject matter that provokes, inspires, and entertains. Through our use of vibrant storytelling, dynamic language, and colorful characters, we invite our audience to plunge headfirst with us into theatrical worlds that are fresh, energetic, and visceral. For tickets and more information on our seventh season, visit www.tympanictheatre.org.
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Catch as Catch Can Steppenwolf Theatre Company (6/04-7/12) |
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EWP presents Robbie Fulks & Griffin William Sherry Showcase Raue Center For The Arts (8/07-8/07) |
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Hedwig and the Angry Inch Catalyst Ranch (7/09-7/26) |
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Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical CIBC Theatre (9/29-10/11) |
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Rotary Rocks The Raue: James Garner's Tribute to Johnny Cash Raue Center For The Arts (10/24-10/24) |
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The Little Mermaid: a staged concert Metropolis Performing Arts Centre (1/29-2/14) |
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Champions Of Magic The Studebaker Theater (6/06-7/05) |
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Mamma Mia! Sing Along with Citadel Theatre Gloria Dei Center (7/24-7/26) |
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As You Like It Winnemac Park (7/24-7/26) |
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Fleetwood Max Raue Center For The Arts (10/03-10/03) |