The Blue Bird
CHICAGO DANZTHEATRE
(1650 W Foster Ave.)
The Blue Bird
The Blue Bird was written by Belgian playwright and poet Maurice Maeterlinck. It premiered on September 30, 1908, at the Moscow Art Theatre, directed by the legendary theatre director and teacher Konstantin Stanislavski. It was later presented on Broadway in 1910.
The story takes place on Christmas Eve. A brother and sister who live in poverty are visited by a mysterious witch, who asks them to find the Blue Bird for her sick daughter. The Blue Bird is believed to possess the power to bring happiness to those who find it. The children embark on a journey in search of the mysterious bird, traveling through unusual places and encountering strange and magical characters along the way.
The story later became known around the world, particularly after it was adapted for children. Maeterlinck’s plays are often considered challenging, if not nearly impossible, to stage because they frequently involve supernatural characters, magical worlds, and theatrical effects.
About The Jazz Theatre Group
The Jazz Theatre Group was founded by Chicago theatre artist Makoto Yamaguchi with the support of Theatre Y. Makoto has been deeply interested in the theatre practices of Polish director Jerzy Grotowski, as well as the ritual practices and performances of African and Native American cultures. He pursues a “pure form” of live theatre in which no technology is employed. His performances typically use only the house lights, with no pre-recorded sound effects or music. Instead, he uses body movement, vocal sound effects, and gibberish to “show” the story. The entire piece is improvised within a pre-established structure, much like jazz musicians improvising within a musical framework.
with
Lauren Valice
Edward Clemons
Emily Emison
Ron Oleck
and Shawn Bunch
Directed by Makoto Yamaguchi
Assistant Director - Amelia Beaei Pardo
Costumes - Terrion Collins
Fri 10/23 at 7:00pm
Sat 10/24 at 5:00pm