Dr. Egg and the Man with No Ear
The U.S. premiere of the smash Australian production!
Dates: September 4 – October 19, 2008
Through puppetry, projected animation, original music, and performance, this exquisite production raises issues surrounding genetic modification in a fun and whimsical setting.
Created and directed by Australian artist Jessica Wilson and based on an original story by Catherine Fargher, Dr. Egg and the Man with No Ear follows a man and his daughter as they encounter the mysterious Dr. Egg. Seeking a way to help her father regrow the ear that he lost years earlier in a freak accident with a snappy bull terrier, the girl is willing to take significant risks – even to sacrifice a part of herself. Co-directed by Redmoon Artistic Director Jim Lasko, Dr. Egg and the Man with No Ear provides entertainment and insight for children and adults alike.
Selected Reviews:
“Matters [such as stem cells, DNA, cloning and genetics] are probed with resonant puppets, live actors, digitized environments and gorgeous stop-motion animation…Wilson’s visual storytelling is exceptionally strong and disciplined and this show has more polish than anything I’ve seen at Redmoon in years.” -Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
“There’s nothing in the city’s mainstream-performance scene with which to compare it. Inducing the kind of double-takes reserved for Pixar movies—the actors and puppets against a black background resemble high-res animation—the bold, optically startling Dr. Egg…is the first Redmoon show I’ve seen that left me not satisfied but craving more…Creatively, it’s a treat. Visually, it’s a new standard.” -Chris Piatt, Time Out Chicago
“Artfully integrating her pitch-perfect ensemble with Jamie Clennett’s ingenious animation and Graeme Davis’ puppet doppelgangers, Wilson’s staging is nothing less than inspired. Like many Redmoon offerings, Dr. Egg flirts with the macabre. Yet the brief but satisfying show keeps its chills in check, the better to get its point across.” -Barbara Vitello, Daily Herald
“Ingeniously directed by Jessica Wilson…The show’s live action and its many forms of theatrical wizardry are nicely meshed, with Jonathon Oxlade’s artful design, Jamie Clennett’s lovely animation and Graeme Davis’ delicately jointed puppets particularly appealing.” -Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times
“This fantastical moral exploration of new developments in biotechnology and genetics is sweetened, but made no less potent, with beautifully sparse animation, precisely exaggerated gesture, and delicate puppetry that is hilarious and heartbreaking. This production will enthrall both children and adults.” -William Scott, New City
“The one-hour theatrical experience explores the issues of morality and sacrifice and is very suitable for young audiences…Jessica Wilson’s direction is dynamic, keeping the flow of the story and the action paced perfectly. The puppets by Graeme Davis, the animation by Jamie Clennett, and some great lighting by John Horan all add to the magic of this production.” -Al Bresloff, Epoch Times
“The real magic of this production is in the making of it. The puppets, constructed by Graeme Davis, create beautifully intimate scenes as well as humor and anticipation. The animation, by Jamie Clennett, flows in and out of the visual narrative like an elegant breeze. Amanda Carr’s whimsical costumes and John Horan’s atmospheric lighting direction provide dramatically lovely accents to the show. Lara Golan’s original music is haunting, mesmerizing and lingers with you after you leave.” -Venus Zarris, Chicagostagereview.com