Another Story

Comfortable Shoes – The Neo-Futurists

Most of us are probably familiar with the story of One Thousand and One Nights. The king has promised to execute his wife Scheherazade at dawn, so she tells, but does not finish a story, hoping he will spare her another night and another and another. It works, and a new show at the Neo-Futurarium, written and performed by ensemble member Ida Cuttler, uses it as a jumping off point to explore how and why women have to tell their own stories over and over again.

I hesitate to discuss too much of the details of the show because watching it unfold at its own pace and on its own terms was a real joy. Cuttler’s show shares a lot of DNA with The Neo-Futurists long running Infinite Wrench, of which she is a long time member. Both shows lack any kind of fourth wall, and both clearly take pride in telling true stories about the actors’ lives. There is a lot of audience participation, and avoiding the front row won’t necessarily spare you. Cuttler seizes the room from the moment she comes on stage and she doesn’t let it go. There is an almost breathless energy to Cuttler’s presentation, but she also keeps the show under control, if only just.

Joining Cuttler on stage is Katie Klocke, playing a violin to underscore much of the show, occasionally responding to a comment or question from Cuttler. I want to praise both her playing, which was beautiful, but also for balancing the show with her presence. Cuttler is obviously the focus and drive of the story, but Klocke’s presence both adds a different energy to the stage, but also pushes the show into something closer to a conversation than a monologue, to the show’s benefit.

Like I said, I don’t want to give too much away, if for no other reason, it’s not my story, and Ida Cuttler will do a far better job telling it to you herself than I will paraphrasing it. The show was by turns hilarious, heartbreaking, thought-provoking, and enraging. The show is a perfect example of the kind of work The Neo-Futurists nurture as a theater company, and it is one you should absolutely see.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Kevin Curran

Presented October 3 – November 16 by The Neo-Futurists at 5153 N. Ashland, Chicago.

Tickets may be purchased at neofuturists.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.