Be Here Now: Firlefanz Puppets’ “Ubu Rex” @ Steamer No. 10 Theatre, 1/8-10
Firlefanz Puppets is definitely not children’s theater.
With the opening of “Ubu Rex” at the Steamer No. 10 Theatre in Albany on Friday-Sunday (January 8-10), Firlefanz Puppets presents Oakley Hall III’s translation and adaptation of Alfred Jarry‘s harbinger of absurdist theater, a biting satire of power and politics. Call it slapstick, scatological surrealism.
The play is also directed by Oakley Hall III, who led the fabled Lexington Conservatory Theater back in the 1970’s and was the subject of Bill Rose’s award-winning 2006 documentary film, “The Loss of Nameless Things”:
Another former member of the Lexington group, actor Steven Patterson, voices the title character of “Ubu Rex,” while Atkeson operates the Ubu puppet. Contemporary new music composer Mary Jane Leach provides the soundtrack for the play.
Firlefanz Puppets made its debut in September 2004 with the world premiere of Gene Mirabelli’s political comedy “Right in the Oval Office,” playing to packed houses at Firlefanz Gallery in Albany. They followed in 2006 with Ionesco’s absurdist gem “Rhinoceros,” which had a sold-out run at Firlefanz Gallery and later at Steamer No. 10 Theatre.
Shorter plays – including “The Man at the Controls”, “The Frog Prince” and “Picasso, the Poet” – have played at various venues throughout Nippertown, including the Arts Center of the Capital Region and the Rensselaer Chapel + Cultural Center (both in Troy), as well as Tess’ Lark Tavern and Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany and Wild in the Woods in Castleton.
FIRLEFANZ PUPPETS’ “Ubu Rex”
STEAMER No. 10 THEATRE
500 Western Ave., Albany
Friday January 8, 8pm
Saturday, January 9, 8pm
Sunday, January 10, 3pm
Tickets: $15; seniors/students $12
$2 discount for advance ticket purchase
Info & reservations: 438.5503
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