The New York Times says it best: “...when Mr. Curchack is on stage, imagination knows no limitations.”
Renowned solo theater artist Fred Curchack returns to Sonoma County, and to the theater where he premiered many of his works before touring them around the world.
Mercury Theater, housed in the Cinnabar Theater building in Petaluma, is proud to present Resurrection of Freddy Chickan, a sampler drawn from nine of Curchack’s original works. Audiences are in for outlandish excerpts with music, song, video projections, puppets, shadow-play, dance and movement, and a voice and technique to rival the great Shakespeareans.
Curchack’s relationship with the Petaluma theater space began in the 1970s, while he was teaching at Sonoma State University. Even after moving on to teach in Dallas and tour extensively, he returned frequently to perform his new pieces.
Here is a round-up of critical acclaim for the works Curchack will be featuring:
STUFF AS DREAMS ARE MADE ON: “Year’s Ten Most Noteworthy Plays … when Mr. Curchack is on stage, imagination knows no limitations.” -- Mel Gussow, The New York Times
WHAT FOOLS THESE MORTALS BE: “Theater Pick of the Week … Curchack’s magic is ultimately personal rather than technical, leaving the audience gasping with awe and admiration.” -- Tom Provenzano, L.A. Weekly
Sexual Mythology part 1: THE UNDERWORLD: “This is as exciting an evening of theater as we have had this season, as poetic an evening in the theater as we have ever had.”
-- Lawson Taitte, WRR-Dallas
PURGATORY: “extraordinary … like Joseph Campbell joining forces with Fellini.”
-- Tom Sime, Dallas Observer
GRANDPA’S HOME VIDEOS: “a genius performance artist … merits repeat viewings”
-- Perry Stewart, Theater Jones
DIONYSOS DOES DALLAS: A Geek Tragedy: “BEST BET -- Gut-busting satire and disturbing tragedy … an extraordinary evening.” -- Mary DeDanan, Pacific Sun
GAUGUIN'S SHADOW: “fascinating … complex and evocative portrait of the artist as an inquiry into the glory and ugliness of the passion to make art."
-- Robert Hurwitt, San Francisco Chronicle
THE COMEBACK OF FREDDY CHICKAN: “theatrical genius … supremely talented artist.”
-- Lawson Taitte, The Dallas Morning News
Plus, the California premiere of scenes from ALHAMBRA: Two couples take a dream vacation through Spain’s art/architecture/poetry/music/dance, and the sublime wonders and hellish horrors of its Christian/Muslim/Jewish/Gypsy history.
The show is not suitable for children.
Trigger warning: This performance contains depictions of and references to rape, abortion, suicide, decapitation, obscenity, profanity, insanity, racism, sexism, classism, fascism, and extreme irony.
Resurrection of Freddy Chickan plays Fridays and Saturdays, May 23, 24 & 30, 31 at 8:00 p.m. For tickets, please visit www.mercurytheater.org. You may also call 707-658-9019. Mercury Theater is at 3333 Petaluma Boulevard North in Petaluma.