When the cost of admission is free, what's not to like about the price tag?
And if the performance happens to be under the umbrella of the famed Chicago Shakespeare Theater, there's not much that could go wrong.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater kicks off its celebrated World's Stage Series in the twilight of summer by hosting the American debut of Ilotopie, a French performance troupe world-renowned for creating waterborne theatrical wonders. The company's production of "Water Fools," aka "Fous de Bassin," is a thrilling 60-minute spectacle transforming the waters of Lake Michigan into a world where cars drive on water, heads burst into flames and a 12-foot-tall lady rides by on "a mere penny farthing."
Reminiscent of last year's aerial performance spectacle Maudits Sonnants, performed by Transe Express, audiences will be thrilled by this breathtaking and free performance, this time, atop the waters of Lake Michigan.
The two-night engagement of "Water Fools" is free to the public with limited $15 reserved seating available via online. Performances are Friday, Aug. 21 and Saturday, Aug. 22 right on Lake Michigan at the eastern end of Navy Pier.
Performances begin at sundown. For more information or to purchase the special seating tickets, call the box office at (312) 595-5600 or visit chicagoshakes.com.
"Water Fools" is performed with a cast of 15 players who magically move atop the waters with the aid of ingeniously engineered skiffs made invisible to the shore-side spectators.
The performance is a 60-minute spectacle filled with humorous vignettes and interactions lifted from everyday life but made refreshingly anew on the uncommon and awe-inspiring stage of Lake Michigan.
Borne out of a series of public or "interventionist" performances created in the early 1980s, Ilotopie has since risen to become a respected leader in the forms of street theater and artistic spectacle. The company is comprised of 21 artists and 10 technicians who perform worldwide at major landmarks including the Thames in London, the River Seine in Paris, the Grand Canal de Versailles in France, as well as international festivals throughout Europe, Australia and Singapore.
"The World's Stage Series brings to Chicago some of the most celebrated artists from around the world," said Chicago Shakespeare Theater Executive Director Criss Henderson.
"The series showcases not only world-renowned artists and performers, but also the city of Chicago as a major hub of international culture. Bringing Ilotopie to Navy Pier provides Chicagoans and our visitors the opportunity to witness some of the world's most incredible and inspiring performers using our city's beautiful Lake Michigan waterfront as a unique and limitless performance space."
"Water Fools" is being presented thanks to the gracious sponsorship of Motorola Foundation, in partnership with and with generous support from Étant donnés: The French-American Fund for the Performing Arts and the Cultural Services of the French Consulate in Chicago. American Airlines is the official airline of Chicago Shakespeare Theater and ComEd is the official lighting design sponsor of Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at philip.potempa@nwi.com or 219.852.4327.
Today's Celebrity Birthdays
Pulitzer-winning writer Russell Baker and singer-pianist Buddy Greco are 83. Singer Dash Crofts of Seals and Crofts is 71. Singer David Crosby and country singer Connie Smith and U.S. vice presidential wife Lynne Cheney are 68. Actor-comedian Steve Martin is 64. Actor Antonio Fargas ("Starsky and Hutch") and bassist Larry Graham of Sly and the Family Stone and actress Susan St. James are 63. Romance novelist Danielle Steel is 62. Cartoonist Gary Larson ("The Far Side") and keyboardist Terry Adams of NRBQ are 59. Actor Carl Lumbly ("Alias") is 58. Film composer James Horner ("Titanic") is 56. Actress Jackee Harry ("Sister, Sister," "227") is 53. Actress Marcia Gay Harden and basketball star Earvin "Magic" Johnson are 50. Singer Sarah Brightman is 49. Actress Susan Olsen ("The Brady Bunch") is 48. Actress Emmanuelle Beart is 44. Actress Halle Berry is 43. Actress Catherine Bell ("JAG") is 41. Guitarist Kevin Cadogan (Third Eye Blind) is 39. Actor Christopher Gorham ("Ugly Betty") is 35. Actress Mila Kunis ("That '70s Show") and TV personality Spencer Pratt ("The Hills") are 26.
