Now this is a humanities fest that we can get behind. It isn’t that we don’t respect the full-size Chicago Humanities Festival, but it is usually people standing or sitting on a stage, talking about stuff. Which is cool, if you’re into that.
We, however, want to play, which is the theme of this, the 13th edition of Stages, Sights and Sounds. As usual, the performances are exclusive to the fest, and will take place in venues in Chicago and Evanston.
Also as usual, you should act quickly if you are thinking of hitting any of these events, as many are sold out.
Part of what makes Stages, Sights and Sounds so popular is that the events are all kid-friendly. No, there isn’t an age restriction on the full-on Humanities Festival events, but it’s pretty hard to get a kid to sit still through a scientist or philosopher talking about his latest project and how it ties in to the Humanities Fest theme. Puppeteers with scissors or young performers climbing a wall is something else altogether. Here’s a list of shows we’d make a beeline for:
“Mur-Mur (The Wall)”: DynamO Theatre is from Montreal, and has ginned up a show that, like the kids that will certainly be in the audience, won’t sit still. It couples dance, gymnastic moves and not a lot of dialogue. And there’s the simple, electronic music that serves as the backdrop for the kinetic action. “Mur-Mur” is supposed to be about life, young love and discovery. But as with most aerobatic, acrobatic dance presentations, you’ll be too busy marveling at the tricks to do any message deciphering. May 6-12, Museum of Contemporary Art Theater, 220 E. Chicago Ave. $5 children, $11 adults
“The Postman”: France’s Velo Theatre is back, with this story that for grown-ups will feel a bit like a low-rent Cirque du Soleil, as its almost clownlike protagonist finds many stories within the packages that he opens. If your young ones are smart enough to ask about the legality of a postman opening mail that isn’t his, just tell ’em to quit being so literal. Wednesday-May 9, MCA theatre; $5 children, $11 adults
“Superman 2050”: Oh, the absurdity of it all, as seven actors occupy a wee platform in an attempt to tell the story of Superman, in yet another pitched battle with arch-villain Lex Luthor. The play isn’t the thing so much as the interplay between the ensemble. Theater Un*Speak*Able works wonders in the tiny confines, and young minds don’t have to wonder what’s happening at stage left. Nothing. It’s all right in front of them. Wednesday-May 6, Josephine Louis Theater at Northwestern University, 20 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston. $5 children, $11 adults
For more information on the entire festival, visit chicagohumanities.org
Twitter @tribunekevin
