Behind The Scenes Exclusive At Redmoon Theatre's Boneshaker & Skelebration 2013 #ChiILPicksList #theatre #OriginalPhotos

"Boneshaker is just like Skelebration only it's 21+ and there's booze and fire!" Frank Maugeri


ChiIL Mama was super stoked to be invited to a small press walk through during the build for this show, earlier in October.  







Check out our full set of shots in the slide show below & a recap of our favorites at the end of this feature.  Then get your tickets NOW before they sell out!   Boneshaker is this Friday, Nov 1 only.   Skelebration is 4 shows this Saturday and Sunday.   We'll have a full photo recap after, but there's nothing like being there!




Boneshaker and Skelebration make our ChiIL Picks List for must see events!

We've been huge fans of Redmoon's work since their humble Humboldt beginnings.   As much as we adore seeing their spectacles come to fruition, we also love to see the back story--the engineering that goes into their tag line "engineering wonder".   

We geek out on the process as much as the productions and want to bring you... our readers, along for the ride.   

Come take a sneak peek behind the curtain and see what the wizards at Redmoon have concocted.   When Producing Artistic Director, Frank Maugeri, led our tour, his enthusiasm was infectious.   


"Why Skelebration?  I wanted something for my kids to do that wasn't another pumpkin patch or hay ride... Here's an alternative Halloween experience." Frank Maugeri

Are you jazzed yet for Redmoon's annual Boneshaker extravaganza and their new fam friendly Skelebration the following day?!   These guys have moved to new digs in Pilsen and do they ever know how to throw a party.   





Come break in their new space right!   Boneshaker is truly the place to see and be seen.   Get one more go out of your Halloween costumes and come out to play in this stellar space.   Boneshaker 2013 is ONE night only, this Friday Nov 1st.

Chicago's taste makers will mingle with inner city musicians & artists with raw talent to spare.   A cast of 100+ costumed actors will facilitate your hands on experience.  





The past few years, Boneshaker was crazy crowded, a victim of it's own success.  Thankfully, Redmoon's space has expanded exponentially.  Their new home is 7 times the size of their old 7,000 sq foot space.   This year there's room to spread your wings!   Party goers can mingle freely, take time to explore, and enjoy both the large scale spectacle and the tiny suitcase style minutia that Redmoon is infamous for.

We asked Frank in particular, how Boneshaker compares with Redmoon's All Hallows Eve Ritual celebrations that used to be a free, highlight of Halloween, outdoors in Logan Square.   Frank said, "They were both interactive and both involve spectacle experience.   More importantly though, next year, October 4th we'll begin the Great Chicago Fire Festival, which is the amplification of what All Hallows was.   Really in depth, committed work, with community members in 15 neighborhoods, to create massive effigies that are placed on the river & then burned."   

This is an exciting shift in Redmoon's overarching plan.   They'll now have an annual series of reoccurring seasonal events, people can count on, more akin to a "season", like traditional theatre spaces.   And the new space ensures that Redmoon can do indoor works on a giant scale, like the 70' wide by 20' tall shadow puppet screen!



What's in store:
Wooden monkey masks with jaws that move when the actors speak! (modeled by Frank himself)

Recycle/Re-appropriate:
The infamous cabinet from The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari will be serving brews from inverted acrobats!

Worlds Collide: 
Mucca Pazza and Redmoon!!   Love it when our friends & favorites collaborate.

Favs:
"spinning motorcycle thrill ride"   I got to try this one out and it's Great America FUN without the long lines!   There's also an element of danger since there's no seat belt or locking bar on this ride. 




All Ages Fun at Skelebration:

Costumed frivolity and merriment doesn’t end with Halloween.  Right after All Hallow’s Eve, November 1-3, Redmoon opens the doors of its cavernous new Pilsen home for a weekend of festivity and interactive art & Spectacle where Chicagoans can let their imaginations run wild.

Friday, November 1, Redmoon presents Boneshaker, a 21-and-up evening of revelry, music, dancing, food and drink, all on an epic scale.  So everyone can cut loose responsibly, Redmoon has arranged free shuttle service from downtown to Boneshaker via Chicago Classic Coach.

The next days, Saturday and Sunday, November 2-3, Redmoon presents the family-friendly Skelebration, a new event for parents and children to explore, discover and connect with their community.

COOL FALL REVELRY HEATS UP AT REDMOON:

Chicago’s Spectacle Experts Open New “INDOORS” Season with

BONESHAKER, November 1 (21+)

and SKELEBRATION, November 2 & 3 (Family-friendly)

Indoor Roller Skating Rink, Signature “Fire Organ” and Mobile DJs all part of the fun!

At Redmoon’s new Pilsen home, 2120 S. Jefferson St.

Chicago’s acclaimed Spectacle company Redmoon kicks off its new “Redmoon INDOORS” Spectacle Series this November with two multimedia events celebrating the ritual of Halloween in fresh, alternative ways, both under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Frank Maugeri and the event direction of Artistic Associate Will Bishop.  

On Friday, November 1 (All Saints Day), the 3^rdannual Boneshaker returns for a 21-and-over night of costumed fun that combines interactive site-specific design and unique contraptions with hours of unexpected entertainment. Immediately following Boneshaker,Saturday and Sunday, November 2-3, Redmoon opens its mammoth 57,000-square-foot Pilsen headquarters for Skelebration, a new event for parents and children to celebrate the fall season and adventure together in Redmoon’s exploratory Spectacle playground.  Both Boneshaker and Skelebration take place in Redmoon’s home at 2120 S. Jefferson Street.

“At Redmoon, we’re opening our ‘INDOORS’ season with something for everyone.  First, a 21-and-over happening that Chicagoans have begun to look forward to each year, and then something for families,” said Maugeri.  “Boneshaker is a contemporary, wild, outrageous experience for the 21^st-century adventurer.  We will wholly transform our new home into an immersive, interactive Spectacle universe.  Skelebration is a similar event but altered for kids of all ages.  As the father of seven-year-old twins, I wanted a sophisticated, unusual, exploratory event that would absolutely amaze kids and be a ton of fun for parents, too.  That’s what we’re creating here: an event full of eclectic hands-on activities and Spectacle wonder that will be unforgettable for both its sheer scale and imagination.” 

Boneshaker

Friday, November 1, 2013

9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Boneshaker is coordinated and produced by the Youth Engineering Spectacle (Y.E.S.) Committee, Redmoon’s young professionals board.  It’s an interactive night of revelry, music, dancing, food and drink, all on an epic scale.  Among the many offerings of this festive world of Spectacle are:

·        **Performances by the 30-person punk rock marching band Mucca Pazza

·        A chance to be in a two-minute, live-feed movie, complete with director, actors and green screen elements, projected upon a giant screen for all guests to view

·        An interactive, underwater-themed shadow world

·        An indoor roller skate rink – roller skates provided – complete with a roller skating bear

·        The “Breakin’ the Law” motorcycle carousel

·        An indoor swing park

·        Beat-box artist Jam One

·        Several mobile DJ contraptions, including Redmoon’s massive “Sonic Boom” mobile device capable of 12,000 watts of sound

·        Outdoor performances by a Redmoon signature, the “Fire Organ,” a dual forklift with 12 organ pipes which shoot bursts of fire synchronized with music

·        Various food and drink contraptions, including the “Kegway,” a new Redmoon invention which combines a Segway with tap service, plus classic Redmoon service devices: “Wine Bikes,” “The Teapot Libation Machine” and more 

·        An opportunity to roast hot dogs outdoors on Redmoon’s massive “Fire Candelabras”

·        Additional food and beverages provided by Bacci Pizza, Skinny Pop, NYC Bagel Deli, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Lagunitas Brewing Company and Pabst Blue Ribbon

Free shuttle service during Boneshaker is provided by Chicago Classic Coach, running from 10 p.m. onward between Redmoon and 77 W. Wacker Drive downtown.

Tickets to Boneshaker are on sale now and are priced at $75, which include food and drinks throughout the evening.  Boneshaker is a 21+ event.  Tickets are available by calling the Redmoon Box Office at 312-850-8440 x123 or online at www.redmoon.org.  Special group rates are available.

Skelebration

Saturday and Sunday, November 2-3, 2013

Times:  11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

The Saturday and Sunday following Boneshaker, Redmoon presents Skelebration, a brand new family-friendly event for parents and children to explore, discover and connect with their community.  For two-hour blocks, families have a chance to:

·        Build shadow puppets and perform in Redmoon’s giant shadow world shows

·        Build masks to wear in a parade alongside Redmoon performers and massive mobile DJ devices

·        Play in Redmoon’s indoor park of swings and roller skates – roller skates provided

·        Bicycle around the space – bicycles provided or families may bring their own

·        Watch Laika’s Coffin, a four-person puppet opera created by Maugeri and directed by Alex Balestrieri, Redmoon Director of Events

·        Enjoy folk and rock music by various family acts and musical schools from across the city

·        Enjoy snacks provided by Whole Foods Market and Cabot Creamery Cooperative

Tickets for Skelebration are on sale now and are priced at $20 for adults, $12 for kids age 3+ and free for kids under 3.  Skelebration is for all ages.  Tickets include two-hour entrance, food and activities.  Tickets are available by calling the Redmoon Box Office at 312-850-8440 x123 or online at www.redmoon.org.

About Redmoon

Redmoon's mission is to transform the experience of our city through free large-scale theatrical events that promote community, creativity and an empowered democracy.  Redmoon burst into Chicago’s cultural consciousness with its award-winning production of Moby Dick in 1995. Commended for its unique aesthetic, the production boasted a unique blend of puppetry, pageantry, gadgetry and robust physical performance that became Redmoon’s signature.  While the indoor productions continued to receive critical acclaim and popular support, Executive Artistic Director Jim Lasko chose to focus the theater’s energy outdoors, where Redmoon sought to deploy spectacle to bridge difference and transform the ways that people see and understand public spaces.  Over the past 23 years, Redmoon has become a valued Chicago institution with its high-profile collaborations, vibrant outdoor performances and genuine community partnerships.  Site-specific performances opened in Millennium Park, animated the façade of the Museum of Contemporary Art and commemorated the groundbreaking for the Modern Wing for the Art Institute.  At the same time, Redmoon brought its work to the parks and streets of Chicago’s neighborhoods.  Redmoon has performed for more than 250,000 people in 30 different neighborhoods.  In 2009, Lasko joined forces with longtime collaborator Frank Maugeri to co-lead Redmoon as it garnered international attention for its unique productions, site-specific performances and participatory events.  Most recently, this included Redmoon’s Summer Park Series – a Mayor’s Night Out in the Parks event.  Under the design and directorial leadership of Maugeri and Artistic Associate Will Bishop, the series brought community celebrations to a lineup of 10 public parks on the South and West Sides of the city.  From July through September, Redmoon and its team of collaborators – Young Chicago Authors and The Bucket Boys – presented free drum and poetry workshops, community meals and open performances to more than 10,000 community members.

Upcoming

Winter Pageant

Directed by John Musial with Frank Maugeri

Dec 13 – 15, Dec 20 – 22, 2013

Times: Fridays – 7 p.m.

Saturdays – 4 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Sundays – 1:30 p.m. & 4 p.m.

In December, the 15^th Annual Winter Pageant features collaborators Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts and punk rock surf band San Andreas Fault.  The approximately 50-minute-long production is directed by John Musial with Frank Maugeri.  The 2013 Winter Pageant presents a new original myth inspired by the poem “The Conference of the Birds” by Farid ud-Din Atta and tells the story of a flock of birds who journey to find their lost king.  The production evokes themes of hope and community.  Audiences at this nontraditional family production can expect Redmoon’s intricate mechanics, inventive puppetry, expressive dance and unique style of visual wonder.

On the Saturdays leading up to Winter Pageant, November 9 – December 7, Redmoon will open its doors for Open Access Builds, where community members of all ages can help Redmoon artists create art and objects for the Winter Pageant production.

Winter Pageant tickets: Adults $25, Kids $15, Kids under 3 FREE

For more information on Redmoon and its programs, visit www.redmoon.org.

More of ChiIL Mama's Favorites:

ACT OUT: Redmoon FREE Summer Finale in Humboldt Park & Original Video Interview With Frank Maugeri 9/7 #redmoon

Redmoon has been a favorite of ours for decades!   They're an integral part of the Chicago Theatre scene and never cease to amaze.   They're back at it again with a big, FREE finale to their summer series on 9/7.   Be there.   Highly recommended! Check out our original video interview with Frank Maugeri and others who collaborated on Chicago Children's Theatre's spring production, The Elephant and The Whale right here.   We interviewed Frank as part of our ongoing series on "HOW CREATIVES PARENT AND HOW PARENTS CREATE". We're so excited to bring you our original video interview with the Co-Directors of The Elephant and The Whale Frank Maugeri (Redmoon) & Leslie Buxbaum Danzig (500 Clown) and with actor, David Catlin (Lookingglass).   All 3 are parents and theatre professionals and they graciously took time out of their busy lives for an interview with us about the show.  They also shared their on insights on "How Creatives Parent and How Parents Create" for ChiIL Mama's long running series on the theme.  (Chicago Children's Theatre's World Premier Collaboration 5/2013)

Redmoon culminates its Summer Park Series - a Night Out in the Parks event  in the historic Humboldt Park with a special reception open to the public to honor Allstate Insurance Company and it collaborators and supporters on September 7th, 2013.  "Allstate is proud to be a part of these amazing Summer Park events, which showcase so many talented young Chicago performance artists who are bringing joy and fabulous entertainment to communities across the city," said Vicky Dinges, vice president of corporate social responsibility at Allstate. "Our company is strongly committed to supporting Chicago's vibrant and diverse cultural arts because they deliver positive, life enriching experiences for our youth and Chicagoans of all ages." The Humboldt Park event begins with an hour-long free drum and poetry workshop, taught in collaboration with the Bucket Boys and poets from Young Chicago Authors (YCA).  Participants are then invited to parade through the park alongside Redmoon's newest machine - the Sonic Boom - a massive, 16 ft. tall transforming mobile boom box conceived by Redmoon's Producing Artistic Director Frank Maugeri.  The parade leads into a community celebration that is a mash up of music by DJ LMS, spoken word poetry, drumming, dancing, and a free meal of pizza and fried chicken.    The event will also include a special performance by artists from YCA's Division St. Project, a year-long project grounded in non-fiction creative writing and verse journalism.   YCA teaching artist Malcom London and Division St. Project Storyteller Nita Tennyson will share poems inspired by the project, followed by a song by Angie Citali.  As the conclusion of Redmoon's Summer Park Series, the event will include a special reception to honor the series' key supporters and collaborators, including Allstate Insurance Company, the Pritzker Traubert Family Foundation and the Chicago Park District. "Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Night Out in the Parks initiative looks for ways to engage people in their communities," said Michael P. Kelly, Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO.  "Redmoon was a great example of this. We witnessed how participatory art transforms parks into spaces for creative and positive activities." Over 8,500 community members participated in Redmoon's Night Out in the Park events.  Under the design and directorial leadership of Maugeri and Artistic Associate Will Bishop, Redmoon and its team of collaborators brought community celebrations to a lineup of 10 public parks on the South and West Sides of the city.  This included Sherwood Park in West Englewood, Columbus Park in Austin and Midway Plaisance Park in Hyde Park. "The Sonic Boom [and the Summer Park Series] is re-establishing the parks in Chicago as a center for culture and community," said Kevin Coval, Artistic Director for the Young Chicago Authors.  By sharing a poem over the Sonic Boom's 10,000-watt speaker system, dancing to the music of DJ SuchNSuch - or simply joining their neighbors for a meal -community members from throughout the city joined in this spectacle celebration.   "The parade was a great idea... [the kids] who got the opportunity to perform feel like superstars," said Solomon Smith, Meyering Park Supervisor.  "They're still talking about it." The Park Series has been a part of Redmoon's larger summer effort to create unexpected spectacular events and community celebrations throughout Chicago - all outdoors and all for free.   Since May, Redmoon has brought its contraptions and performers to 24 free outdoor events - from Evanston's Fourth of July Parade, to Pilsen's Low Rider Festival, Boystown's Market Days, and Homan Square and North Lawndale's Peace March and many more.  In total, Redmoon's summer work reached over 55,000 people. Redmoon invites all to the culminating Humboldt Park event to celebrate this extraordinary summer of free spectacle and community building.

EVENT DETAILS: Date:  Saturday, September 7, 2013 Location:  Humbolt Park, 1440 N Humbolt Dr. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:  4:30pm - Free drumming and poetry workshops for community members 6:00pm - Free community meal and reception 7:15pm - Humboldt Park community parade begins 7:30pm - Redmoon's show begins 8:30pm - Event conclusion  To RSVP:   Contact rsvp@redmoon.org  ABOUT THE SUMMER PARK SERIES Redmoon's Summer Park Series was part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Night Out in the Parks initiative supported by NATO Legacy funds, and was presented thanks to the generous support and civic vision of Allstate Insurance Company, Chicago Park District, The Pritzker Traubert Family Foundation, The 1111 Foundation, The Ebert Foundation, Bacci Pizza, KFC, Dance All Night, and many others. ABOUT DIVISION ST. PROJECT A Year-long project grounded in non-fiction creative writing and verse journalism. 15 story finders meet weekly to engage in research and writing inspired by Studs Terkel's Division Street: America. The students are scouting the length of Division Street from the far East to the far West of the city, collecting and re-telling the stories of today's Chicago via anthology, video, recording and/or live performance. Join the movement and walk the miles traveled.  ABOUT REDMOON Redmoon's mission is to transform the experience of our urban landscape through spectacular events that disrupt everyday life and promote community, creativity, and democracy. Founded in 1990, Redmoon transforms streets, stages and architectural landmarks, bridging international, economic, cultural and generational boundaries with unique brand of Spectacle: public art form that is equal parts pageantry, gadgetry, puppetry, robust physical performance and visual art.

The Elephant & The Whale Ticket Giveaway & Original Video Interview With Three of The Creative Masterminds Behind The World Premier #originalvideointerview #giveaway #review #ad

ChiIL Out with ChiIL Mama.   Pop a bowl of popcorn and get ready to see something amazing.  We're so excited to bring you our original video interview with the Co-Directors of The Elephant and The Whale, Frank Maugeri (Redmoon) & Leslie Buxbaum Danzig (500 Clown) and with actor, David Catlin (Lookingglass).   All 3 are parents and theatre professionals and they graciously took time out of their busy lives for an interview with us about the show.  They also shared their insights on "How Creatives Parent and How Parents Create" for ChiIL Mama's long running series on the theme.



We generally try to keep our original videos around 15 minutes, but these three had some seriously sweet gems of info on parenting and great stuff about The Elephant and The Whale, so we're going to go ahead and run it as a longer feature.   I'll also break the material down into shorter 15 minute individual interviews at a later date, to add to our Creative Parenting series.




Win 4 Free Tickets:

ChiIL out with free tickets to Chicago Children's Theatre & Redmoon's stellar collaboration!   Our last giveaway was so successful, we're going to do it again!  Enter now through midnight on 5/13.   This giveaway is short, sweet & hard to beat.    We highly highly recommend you catch this show before it closes May 26th.

Click The Rafflecopter Link Below For Your Chance to Win 4 Tickets To The Elephant & The Whale AND a free pizza party Thurs, 5/16, 6:30 pm.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ChiIL Live Shows caught the opening weekend of The Elephant & The Whale at Chicago Children's Theatre and we were enormously impressed by this mammoth undertaking.   We've long been fans of Redmoon's mission statement "engineering wonder" and of the fabulous physical comedy and energy of 500 Clown.   These world collided in a BIG way for this show and adults and hard to please tweens and teens will dig this one, too!   Yes, Chicago Children's Theatre is not only for the littles, my friends.   A lot of blood, sweat & prep went into this production, but the end result is pure magic.

Credit for all Production Photos Charles Osgood

Click here for ChiIL Mama's past coverage of The Elephant and The Whale including ticket links, show times and plot points as well as more show footage & stills.

Check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often for loads of original content, fabulous happenings and great giveaways.   

**Final footage footnote:  It took me longer than I'd hoped to don my editor's hat and finish the interview above.  There were so many insightful comments in the interviews that I tried to chop it to about 20 minutes for days, and finally surrendered, and decided that this needs to be published as a longer piece... at least once.
   
We also got caught up in crazy busy parenting land over here, with two kids in and out of their own performances with CircEsteem, 2 Roller Derby halftime shows, a school variety show and 2 gymnastics team showcases.   And I had a 4 day International film fest to cover, and a German filmmaker to interview.

Thanks for your patience.   It's worth the wait!   






SPECTACLE IN MINIATURE TELLS THE TALE OF A GIANT FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE LARGEST ANIMALS ON OUR PLANET, APR. 10-MAY 26 AT THE RUTH PAGE CENTER  


This all-new family fable features sea voyages, wild mechanical objects, circus songs, panoramic paintings, exquisite shadow puppets and an innovative sound design. Performances through May 26, 2013 at Chicago Children's Theatre's new home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn, Chicago.

The Elephant and The Whale is recommended for all ages.

Schedule through May 26:  Tuesday at 10 a.m.; Wednesday at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.; Thursday at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Friday at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Saturday at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2p.m. 

Run time is approximately 60 minutes with no intermission.

FREE PIZZA PARTIES ON THURSDAYS & ART PARTIES FRIDAY

As if you need any more reasons to see this show...

Note:  Family-friendly 6:30 p.m. Thursday shows are preceded with a free pizza party starting at 5:45 pm.  Thursday evenings are $25 for dinner and show. On Friday evenings, families are encouraged to kick off their weekend at the 6:30 p.m. show, and stay after for a fun post-show craft party.  Friday evenings are $25 for show and party.

Regular single tickets are $26 for children, $36 for adults. To purchase, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (872) 222-9555. For discounted school, scout, playgroup, extended family and other group rates, visit GroupTix.net or call (773) 327-3778. 

Disclaimer:  Thanks to the fabulous folk at Chicago Children's Theatre for giving us family 4 packs of tickets to share with our readers.   All opinions are our own.