October 02, 2008 — October 25, 2008
IN THE CURIOUS HOLD OF THE DEMETER: COUNT ORLOCK AT SEA
$15; $10 for students and seniors
Recommended for mature audiences.
DCA Studio Theater
Written by Jill Summers
Directed by Jennifer Friedrich
Presented by The Incurable Theater

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.

Note to Press: Electronic images available at www.dcatheater.org/press or by request.

THE INCURABLE THEATER PRESENTS
IN THE CURIOUS HOLD OF THE DEMETER:COUNT ORLOCK AT SEA
Contact: david@marketingdept.org

The Incurable Theater Company, in association with Chicago DCA Theater, combines puppetry, masks, live actors, shadowplay, and projections in the world premier of In the Curious Hold of the Demeter: Count Orlock at Sea. The production comes to Chicago DCA Theater’s Studio Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, at 77 E. Randolph Street, from October 2 – 25, 2008. Members of the press are invited to the performance on Friday, October 3, at 7:30 p.m.

Inspired by F.W. Murnau’s 1922 silent film “Nosferatu,” the darkly comic tale for adult audiences follows the travails of Count Orlock as he stows away on the Russian schooner, “The Demeter.” In his 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.

Performances of In the Curious Hold of the Demeter are Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm.

Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors. The preview performance on Thursday, October 2, at 7:30 p.m., costs only $10. Discount rates are available for groups of 10 or more. All tickets are available by calling 312.742.TIXS (8497), visiting www.dcatheater.org, or stopping by the box office, open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 4 p.m.; and one hour prior to each performance.

In the Curious Hold of the Demeter is written by Jill Summers and directed by Jennifer Friedrich. The cast includes Damien Hinojosa and Emily Tamblyn. Scene and puppetry design is by Damien Hinojosa and Jennifer Friedrich, with costume designs by Chris Hefner. Shadow puppetry is by Jill Summers and Susie Kirwood, and special film techniques are by Chris Hefner.

Through a modern exploration of traditional puppet and mask theater, the Incurable Theater enhances the artistic experiences of both adults and children in Chicagoland area by creating intimate puppetry-based performances that focus on visual storytelling. The company was founded by Damien Hinojosa and Jennifer Friedrich in 2000 and debuted its first incarnation of The Sandman at the 2001 Chicago Humanities Festival. Recent productions include ‘’The Nutcracker and the King of Mice” at the Chicago Cultural Center in 2006/2007. The company is a Jim Henson Foundation grant award recipient as well as a Chicago City Arts Award recipient.

The Studio Theater and the Storefront Theater, its companion theater located across the street at 66 E. Randolph Street, comprise Chicago DCA Theater, an anchor of the downtown theater district. Chicago DCA Theater offers downtown audiences an off-Loop theater experience with an exciting look at the vibrant emerging and developing theater companies that call Chicago home. Proposals for creative and innovative productions for the July to December 2009 season will be accepted until October 17, 2008.

Discounted parking is once again available at Wabash Randolph Self Park at 20 E. Randolph. Patrons can receive the $14 rate by validating their ticket at the Storefront Theater box office.

For more information about In the Curious Hold of the Demeter and Chicago DCA Theater, visit call 312.742.TIXS (8497) or visit the recently relaunched www.dcatheater.org. The enhanced website features more information about DCA Theater performances and programs, including a new blog, photo galleries, and visitor information