Main Stage
E.T.A. Hoffmann's dark and fantastic holiday tale comes to life through puppetry, music and masks in the Incurable Theater's presentation of 'The Nutcracker and the King of Mice'. Abandoning the sometimes predictable and traditional telling of the story, The Incurable Theater presents a fresh version of the story that honors Hoffmann's vision and explores the darker side of childhood.
Suitable for audiences of all ages.
Photo Gallery | Chicago Cultural Center
Pursued by a phantom from his childhood, the young student Nathaniel is drawn into the dark universe of his fears and fantasies. In a world populated with sinister bogeymen and dancing automatons, Nathaniel must wrestle with the demons of his past in a battle that will determine the course of his future.
Appropriate for adults and older youth.
Photo Gallery | E.T.A. Hoffmann's Story
In the Hold of the Demeter...Count Orlock at Sea
The Incurable Theater combines puppetry, masks, live actors, shadowplay, and projections into a unique production inspired by F.W. Murnau's 1922 silent film Nosferatu. The darkly comic tale depicts the struggles of Count Orlock as he travels by sea, stowed away on the Russian schooner, "The Demeter." As he travels to a foreign land to begin life anew, his debilitating insomnia brings to life his insecurities and nightmares. This new play was written by Jill Summers, whose short stories are frequently heard on Chicago Public Radio's Third Coast International Audio Festival.
Trunk Shows
Using masks, puppets and cantastoria Brechts' opera takes new and interesting form. The 'Three Penny Puppet Opera debuted in the spring of 2005 at the now defunct Pac/Edge festival in Chicago. This classic adaptation utilized 'cantastoria' style singing (singing with visual images to help realize the story) and a puppet show contained on the performer's body among other interesting puppetry techniques.'
Appropriate for Adults and older youth.
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The Incurable Theater uses intricately handcrafted marionettes in this miniature interpretation of the story of Dr. Faustus, an aging scholar dissatisfied with life, and his ill-fated pact with the ultimate trickster, the devil himself!
Available in adult version or family friendly version.
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Black Pudding
"Based on the classic fairy tale- 'The Three Wishes', 'Black Pudding' tells the story of a squabbling husband and wife who happen upon a fairy who grants them three wishes. The only problem is- will their wishes be for good, evil, or greed? This children's show is mounted in the traditional 'punch and judy' style of puppetry employing audience interaction, glove (hand) puppets and storytelling."