In a clear-cut case of performance overlapping theater or vice versa, Blind Parrot Productions is presenting the Chicago premiere of ”Kind Ness”
by Ping Chong, an artist whose often enigmatic and highly visual works have enthralled audiences at MoMing, the Dance Center of Columbia College and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
According to Blind Parrot artistic director Clare Nolan-Long, the company pursued the rights to ”Kind Ness,” a typically Chongian blend of music, movement, images and text, for quite a while.
”I read it a number of years ago and just loved it,” Nolan-Long said.
”I passed it on to the company and we all fell in love with it. We had contacted his own company, which had toured the piece, and sent them reviews and stuff about Blind Parrot.
”They had hoped to produce it themselves in Chicago, but after two years or so they decided to let us do it.”
Blind Parrot has often explored the far boundaries of theater in pieces such as ”Oedipus Requiem” and Mac Wellman`s ”The Bad Infinity.” Nolan-Long said that ” `Kind Ness` seemed like a wonderful piece for us-we aren`t movement artists per se, but we thought it was way overdue to explore movement more fully.
”We try to find ways of pulling people into more experimental works, and that`s always a challenge, but here was a playwright who does a lot of that for you, in a very peaceful way.”
In elliptical fashion, the piece delves into prejudice in America and assimilation and friendship, Nolan-Long said.
”Kind Ness” will be performed Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays through May 30 at The Gallery, 1543 W. Division St. Admission is $10. Call 312-549-3991.
– South African performance artist and Fulbright scholar Robyn Orlin presents two collaborative works Friday through Sunday at Facets Multimedia`s International Performance Studio, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave.
”At the Drop of a Hat . . .” is described as ”a labyrinthine exploration of obsession and control based on the persona of Lady Macbeth”
and is choreographed and performed by Orlin in collaboration with Mary Carlisle.
The second piece is titled ”Please, Consider Me a Dream” and was created by Orlin with British performer/photographer Mathew Wilson and Chicago musician Steve Barsotti. It concerns two foreigners` search for intimacy and a sense of place in the American landscape.
Friday and Saturday shows begin at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 7 p.m. Admission is $10, or $5 for students and senior citizens. Call 312-281-9075.
– The final program in Randolph Street Gallery`s ”All Fall Down” series of movement-based performance takes place Friday and Saturday with Chicagoan Bob Eisen and, from New Jersey, Terry Fox.
Eisen, a longtime figure in the local dance community, will perform
”Event No. 2.” Fox has worked with the likes of David Gordon and the Zero Moving Company and will present a new work that is as yet untitled.
Performances get under way at the gallery, 756 N. Milwaukee Ave., at 8 p.m. Admission is $6, or $4 for students, senior citizens and members. Call 312-666-7737.
– Cheryl Trykv is performing ”Shirley Girl!” at Live Bait Theater, 3914 N. Clark St., at 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through May. Lost weekends in Tijuana, stranded nights in born-again towns and coffee breaks at Cafe Voo Vi are grist for the monologuist`s mill. Admission is $8. Call 312-871-1212.
