PicksInSix Review: The Ruffians' BURNING BLUEBEARD
‘BURNING BLUEBEARD’ CHILLS TO THE BONE
As I watched the riveting production of The Ruffians’ “Burning Bluebeard”—a staggering combination of fairy tale and turn-of-the-century pantomime wrapped in poetry, acrobatics and suspense playing at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts and produced in association with Porchlight Music Theatre—I began to shudder with the realization that I had no idea where the alternate exit was located.
The thought crossed my mind again at the close of the show as everyone stood cheering—some stunned and shocked, others giving a more knowing stare to those of us who had witnessed this theatrical odyssey for the first time.
No matter how I tried to prepare myself, it was an all-consuming feeling to experience the moment-to-moment events leading up to the horrific fire that consumed the Iroquois Theater on December 30, 1903, in which 602 souls perished in 15 minutes—a date and number that is seared in my memory, along with many astounding facts that I will no longer ever need to look up. This transformative theatrical production first took shape in 2011 as a Neo-Futurists premiere that now enjoys The Ruffians’ collaboration with Porchlight and the ruddy, cavernous-yet-uniquely-intimate Ruth Page venue where its commedia dell'arte flare and intensity is magnified, particularly when filled to capacity as it was for the press opening Sunday.
A troupe of performers and clowns—Pamela Chermansky (Fancy Clown), Anthony Courser (Henry Gilfoil), Crosby Sandoval (The Faerie Queen), Jay Torrence (Robert Murray), Leah Urzendowski (Nellie Reed) and Ryan Walters (Eddie Foy)— collectively form a pact with the audience that includes a plain-dealing statement about what’s ahead in the 100-minute piece that follows. They then frame the action with the elements of 1903 pantomimes, incorporating audience participation, heroes and villains, silent scenes, slapstick, and interpretive song and dance in an effort to complete the fanciful production of “Mr. Bluebeard” that fatefully never saw its end.
The historical facts behind the causes and the devastating loss of life in the tragedy unfold in the multi-layered story, written by Torrence and directed by Halena Kays, as the troupe returns to the stage to complete their work, a journey that leads us through the heart-rendering destruction.
You will have a few “Titanic” moments along the way, but I will not spoil the ending or divulge more about the exceptional work and truly artful storytelling of a legendary Chicago story—an imaginative production that will warm your heart even as it chills you to the bone.
PHOTOS|Michael Courier
PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE
presents
The Ruffians’
BURNING BLUEBEARD
through December 27
RUTH PAGE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
1016 N. Dearborn
(773) 777-9884
WEBSITE
TICKETS
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