TO FLY AGAIN Opens Friday at Imago

Jerry Mouawad, Artistic Co-Director of Imago Theatre, opens his world premier To Fly Again this Friday May 4 at 7:30 at Imago Theatre. , The work written, choreographed and directed by Jerry Mouawad plays May 4, 5, 6, 11, and 12, Fri/Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:00. Tickets for the show are $10, $15 or $20 - pay what you will. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling Imago at 503.231.9581 or online at ticketswest.com or by calling TicketsWest at 503.224.8499.

I cast four actors who had a "clown state" somewhere inside them. I think I've flushed out their clowns during the rehearsal process. I looked for something to create with the clowns and had them read sections of "Waiting for Godot" . I thought, "Yes clowns should do Beckett" However I didn't want to do Beckett. So I wrote a script riffing off "Waiting for Godot". I then cast a group of dancers with a percussionist who leads this dance clan to the band of clowns. I discovered in creating this work a kind of apocalyptic / existential / psychedelic world that is tender and barren. I find the piece moving and thought provoking." Says Director Jerry Mouawd..

A zany group of clown musicians and a clan of clay tossed dancers roam a barren land in this new Imago work. The clowns' thoughts arise and pass like clouds, the dating game appears out of no where in clashes of absurdity, while joy and pathos skim through their nonsensical word play as the clowns search for a suitable place to make camp. Psychedelic and existential humor pervades; the clowns are constantly interrupted by a clan of dusty dancers who live in a world beyond speech. Tater, the most vulnerable of the clowns, yearns to fly again. Questions open up to further questioning, and talk of sadness is eclipsed by looking at the stars.

Light Design by Jon Farley

Costume Design by Sumi Wu

Clown Ensemble - Mark Mullaney, Stephanie Woods, Nathaniel Holder, Jake Ottosen

Dance Ensemble - Nathan H.G., Kaician Kitko, Emma Holland, Andrea Larreta

Production Stage Manager - Karen Farley

Dramaturge - Katie Griesar