Aurora Theatre Company Presents OBSCURA, Now thru 11/2

Aurora Theatre Company presents Bay Area magician Christian Cagigal in OBSCURA, an extraordinary presentation of up-close and personal magic. This special fall presentation plays for 15 performances only today, October 15 through November 2 at Harry's UpStage, located in the Nell and Jules Dashow Wing at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets (General $28; VIP reserved seating $32; subscribers receive a $2 discount) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.

An intimate magic show performed live on a big screen, OBSCURA weaves fairy tales, dark fables, and strange happenings into an engaging performance fraught with wonder, mystery, and imagination. Called "one of those rare alchemists of the imagination" by SF Station and "undeniably irresistible...a one of kind experience" by the San Francisco Examiner, Cagigal has been regaling diverse audiences with his unique hybrid of theater and illusions for over 15 years. With OBSCURA, Cagigal returns to his roots, peppering some of his favorite stories with witty and eccentric demonstrations of close-up magic and more. Cagigal is among a new crop of illusionists and theater artists that dare to go beyond the usual bag of tricks, taking audiences into a world of darkness, mystery, and imagination.

"The term some of us like to try and use these days is not tricks but effects," says Cagigal. "I like to call it a certain level of magic realism." Recently named one of "Ten Bay Area artists on their way to becoming icons" by SF Weekly and voted "Best of the Bay" for the second time by the San Francisco Bay Guardian, Cagigal has been an actor, writer, and magician in the Bay Area for over 15 years. A former company member of the renowned San Francisco Mime Troupe and founding member of the ensemble theater company Precarious Theatre, Cagigal amazes and delights audiences of all ages with his unique brand of magic and theater.

A Bay Area native, Cagigal has performed as an Artist in Residence at EXIT Theatre since 2006 and as an Artist in Residence with Beyond the Mountain in Montreal, Quebec, Canada since 2012.

His previous shows The 13 Steps, the popular The Pandora Experiment, the secretive The Collection, and the critically acclaimed Now and at the Hour have played to sold out houses and held for extended runs. Additionally, Cagigal has consulted for American Conservatory Theater's MFA program, Crowded Fire Theatre Company, The Jewish Theatre Company, Marin Shakespeare Company, EXIT Theatre DIVAfest, and The San Francisco Ghost Hunt Walking Tour. He can also be seen in the new independent, power pop, musical film Fruit Fly, written and directed by San Francisco filmmaker H.P. Mendoza. Cagigal is currently working on the performance film of Now and at the Hour directed by H.P. Mendoza.

Located in the Dashow Wing at Aurora Theatre Company, Harry's UpStage is the company's second stage performance space. Longtime Aurora subscriber and supporter Harry Weininger passed away in May 2010; his family, who knew of his dedication to Aurora, wanted to honor him and made a generous donation to Aurora to outfit the Dashow with a new lighting package, curtains, a stage, and furniture. Harry's UpStage is used for live cabaret and second stage events at Aurora.

Following OBSCURA is the West Coast Premiere of Fraser Grace's off Broadway hit BREAKFAST WITH MUGABE on the main stage in November, directed by Jon Tracy. Barbara Damashek returns to Aurora in January to direct the Bay Area Premiere of Nicky Silver's viciously hilarious Broadway hit THE LYONS. The company pays homage to Lanford Wilson with "The Talley Trilogy" in April with the Pulitzer Prize-winning TALLEY'S FOLLY, directed by Joy Carlin in Harry's UpStage, followed by FIFTH OF JULY, helmed by Aurora Theatre Company Artistic Director Tom Ross. As a special addition to the 23rd season, and completing the trilogy, Aurora will present readings of Wilson's rarely performed play TALLEY & SON in April, directed by Jennifer King. Aurora Theatre Company closes its 23rd season in June with the Bay Area Premiere of Lisa D'Amour's wicked Obie-winning satire DETROIT, directed by Josh Costello.

Voted Best Theater Company in 2012 by SF Weekly, Aurora Theatre Company continues to offer challenging, literate, intelligent stage works to the Bay Area, each year increasing its reputation for top-notch theater. Located in the heart of the Downtown Berkeley Arts District, Aurora Theatre Company, declared "one of the best regional theaters around" by 7x7 magazine, has been called "one of the most important regional theaters in the area" and "a must-see midsize company" by the San Francisco Chronicle, while The Wall Street Journal has "nothing but praise for the Aurora." The Contra Costa Times stated "perfection is probably an unattainable ideal in a medium as fluid as live performance, but the Aurora Theatre comes luminously close," while the San Jose Mercury News affirmed Aurora Theatre Company is "arguably the finest small theater in the Bay Area," and the Oakland Tribune stated "it's all about choices, and if you value good theater, choose the Aurora."