Remember that old riddle “When is a door not a door? When it’s ajar.”
Children can see a performance this weekend that asks the same kind of questions as part of the Family Series of Performing Arts Chicago.
The performance, “The Adventures of Ginocchio,” is by Teatro Hugo E Ines-Hugo Suarez Flores of Peru and Ines Pasic of Bosnia-Herzegovina-whose creative movements transform human appendages into puppetlike characters.
The duo is one of three groups that are part of Performing Arts’ Family Series. Susan Lipman, Performing Arts’ executive director, feels very strongly about the importance of encounters with the performing arts for children.
“It distresses me enormously that other cultures are very inclusive about bringing children to performances while, unfortunately, in the United States you seldom see children brought to dance, theater or music performances.”
To encourage adults to bring children along, Lipman has scheduled, in addition to Teatro Hugo E Ines, STOMP, which will perform from Nov. 22 to 27. Youngsters have probably already seen this British percussion group on the latest Target commercial on TV, where members of the troupe beat out an infectious fast-paced rhythm with broomsticks.
In addition, Elizabeth Streb/Ringside will perform May 12 and 13. “I think young people will look with amazement at this dance company where performers are hooked up in harnesses and fly out over a wall,” says Lipman.
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“Ginocchio” means “knee” in Italian, and part of the performance features Hugo’s naked knee, transformed with a simple bulbous nose into a not-so-talented street performer who plays the ukulele and tries to pull off some magic tricks.
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Performing Arts Chicago: “The Adventures of Ginocchio” performed by Teatro Hugo E Ines, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, The Athenaeum Annex Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave.; $20 adults, $10 children. 312-722-5463. Performing Arts Chicago also presents Charmaine & Company’s Puppet-making Workshop for ages 6 and up, 12:30-1:45 p.m. Saturday, Parish Center of St. Alphonsus Church, 2936 N. Greenview Ave.; $3 in advance, $5 at the door. Space is limited, so call for tickets, 312-663-1628.