Redmoon Theater: sparse company in a rich setting

From other-worldly sets to oversized puppets — and with the feel of magical realism in every performance — Redmoon Theater offers one of the most artistic stage experiences in the city.

Founded in 1990 and rooted in ancient theatrical forms, this sparse company sets out to transform streets, stages and local architectural landmarks into theatrical celebrations. By using gadgetry, acrobatics, over-sized masks, humans, puppets and music, Redmoon delivers an unforgettable theater experience.

In two of the troupe’s critically acclaimed plays, Hunchback and Once Upon A Time (or The Secret Language of Birds) actors donned handmade masks and wore simple peasant costumes. In both performances, the props—be it the hunchback’s cage or the town in “Once Upon A Time” the sets are sparse but surprise with crafty engineering such as trick doors, tightropes and miniature theaters.

Redmoon often employs the use of live video with their performances. In the award-winning Once Upon A Time (or The Secret Life of Birds) the performance is filmed live and projected on a screen backdrop.

The company also works outside of the theater, often in neighborhoods, bringing what they call flash productions to the streets of the city. Their The Momentary Opera — a series of unexpected theater performances that take place in unexpected and unannounced locations — springs up throughout Chicago. The troupe performs a yearly Winter Pageant and an All Hallow’s Eve ritual.

While Redmoon is a treat for adults, most of the productions are family-friendly. At the conclusion of each performance, patrons are invited to the stage to talk to the actors and encouraged to explore the sets and props.

A small bar offering liquor, coffee and soft drinks opens before each show, during intermission at the show’s conclusion.

Over the past decade the theater company has garnered international attention for productions like Hunchback

based on Victor Hugo’s novel Hunchback of Notre Dame. Redmoon has performed internationally in Holland, Ireland and Australia.

For information on upcoming productions, visit www.redmoon.org.

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