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Event
Dinner of our Discontent
"Aloft takes risk a step further in 'The Dinner of Our Discontent,'. The payoff can be huge." -Laura Molzhan, Chicago Tribune
On giant lampshades, clotheslines, chains and picture frames, Aloft's new aerial show, "The Dinner of Our Discontent" veers from heartbreaking to hilarious at the drop of a plate. Directed by Shayna Swanson and choreographed by Swanson and the company,"Dinner" follows five estranged sisters as they return to the home they grew up in after their parents' sudden deaths. Their childhood emotions and resentments take center stage as they encounter the same issues that plagued them through out their childhoods: the twins still dress (and walk, and eat) alike, the second sister vies for the affection of the oldest, and they all walk heartlessly over the meek youngest sister. And then there's the grief stricken butler, having lived in the house longer than any of the girls, having raised them and waited on them every day with no thanks, now faced with having to leave the only family he ever knew. The parents watch the madness from two picture frames on the back wall, their eyes following the action, tormented by their sudden separation and longing for their family to be whole again.
Premiered in 2009, this is a restaging of the original, with an entirely new cast of world-class circus artists. The original acts have been reworked to highlight the experience and incredible talents of these performers. If you were one of the few lucky enough to see the show in it's first incarnation, you'll be amazed at the growth of this contemporary circus company over the last 5 years. Aloft's Artistic Director, Shayna Swanson, once part of the cast, steps off the stage to direct the action for the outside, working to heighten the chaos and emotion that the artists bring forth. This also marks the first time Aloft performs a full-length show in Chicago in a legitimate theater, usually having chosen to present their work at the Aloft Loft, their amazing and versatile training space on the West side.
Location:The Chopin Theater
1543 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60642
Theater phone: (773) 278-1500
Show Dates:August 15, 8PM
August 16, 8PM
August 17, 7PM
August 22, 8PM
August 23, 8PM
August 24. 7PM
Show Times:Friday and Saturday shows begin at 8, Sunday shows start at 7 and run with no intermission. There is no late seating. Advanced ticket purchase is highly recommended.
Tickets:Tickets are $25 and should be purchased online
A limited number of tickets may be available at the door.
Cast:
Oldest Sister: Leah Leor
Second Sister: Dana Dugan
Twin One: Natalie Abell
Twin Two: Mary Jane Schroder
Youngest Sister: Zoe Sheppard
Butler: Molly Plunk
Mother: Destiny Maev
Father: Will Howard
About Aloft
Aloft (formerly Aloft Aerial Dance), under the artistic direction of Shayna Swanson, is a breathtaking physical performance company in Chicago, focused on creating groundbreaking, highly creative aerial and earth-bound, extremely physical performances for theatre and public space. We seek to create work that resonates in the urban environment and with the urban experience. The stillness of visual art and the frenzy of performance art inspires conflict and precariousness in our work. Aloft draws from the juxtaposition of such artistic extremes: highly physical movement versus the very minimal, circus arts versus butoh dance. We achieve new movement and a unique voice by considering how to exist within these extremes and how to transition between them.
Aloft strives to make innovative use of traditional aerial circus equipment (trapeze, rope, fabric, etc.) by using them at new heights and in new environments so that they barely resemble their former selves. We also create new equipment and work within our environments to create site and situation specific aerial work that richly enhances the audience's appreciation of their environmentcheck out www.aloftcircusarts.com for more information.
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LocationChopin Theatre
1543 W Division
Chicago, IL 60642
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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