This tale of resilience, adaptation, and ingenuity that tells the story of puppet-maker Geppetto, who is attempting to perform — all by himself for the first time ever — the grand mythical love story of Perseus, who slays a sea monster to save his beloved Andromeda. When things begin to go haywire, Geppetto finds himself desperately improvising to overcome the challenges of performing solo while at the same time scrambling to devise new story lines, new characters, and even new limbs. This new production, which shares more than a character's name and profession with a fairy tale, focuses on a longing for magic and a wish for a transformative power that could kindle life where it is lacking.
Brooklyn-based Concrete Temple Theatre is a multi-disciplinary company that emphasizes the creation of new theatrical work that incorporates drama, dance, puppetry, music, and the visual arts, while focusing on the individual's struggle for identity and society's struggle for cohesion. Through touring their shows and presenting workshops nationally, and internationally, Concrete Temple strives to bring myth and ritual back to the center of dialogue, while making connections and opportunities for diverse audiences to question and examine their place in the world.
While the title name and the use of puppetry may inspire families to attend, the material is not necessarily geared toward young audiences.
The series is an outgrowth of the Marie F. Rader Memorial Fund, administered by the Rowan University Foundation, and enters its second year with four evenings spotlighting groundbreaking performers. An added bonus will be educational outreach opportunities – through master classes, clinics, adjudication sessions, and workshops with these visiting artists - for students from the university community and beyond. The Marie F. Rader Memorial Fund was established in 2008 by friends of the late arts advocate Marie Rader as a way to expand programming at Rowan University. Proceeds from the fund benefit efforts to bring world-renowned artists to campus, thereby enhancing the cultural life of the campus and the region.
Tohill Theatre is located in Bunce Hall on the campus of Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road in Glassboro, NJ. Tickets are $15, general admission; and $12, seniors/non-Rowan students/staff/alumni. Rowan student admission is free with valid ID. Tickets can be purchased online. For additional information, email arts@rowan.edu, or call 856-256-4545.
