HOME PAGE
Fairy Tales of the Absurd
Two plays from the IONESCO FESTIVAL combine with an original play
"Almost unbearably funny" - The New York Times
Tales for Children
by Eugene Ionesco
Translated by Karen Ott
Stage adapatation by Edward Einhorn
Father: John Blaylock
Josette: Uma Incrocci
Narrator: Celia Montgomery
Photo: John Blaylock, Una Incrocci, and Celia Montgomery in a scene from "Tales for Children"
Tales for Children is adapted from actual stories Ionesco told to his
daughter, Marie-France, whose efforts made the Ionesco Festival possible.
It will be given an original translation by Karen Ott and Edward Einhorn.
The father in the play tells the daughter about bizarre, imaginary worlds, such
as one in which everyone is named Jacqueline and one in which familiar words all
have alternate meanings. A life-sized puppet plays the part of the daughter, and
stick puppets are used throughout to augment the narrative. The Village Voice
praised the play's "Pop Art panache" and said the role of the daughter was
"wonderfully played by Uma Incrocci."
To Prepare a Hard Boiled Egg
by Eugene Ionesco
Translated by Edward Einhorn
Man: Peter B. Brown
Photo: Peter B. Brown in a scene from "To Prepare a Hard Boiled Egg"
To Prepare a Hard Boiled Egg was given its first ever English translation
in the Ionesco Festival by Edward Einhorn. According to Back Stage,
"Peter Brown wittily plays a chef giving a lecture on how to boil an egg,
keeping his tongue firmly in cheek." The seven minute piece was written
as a gift for Ionesco's friend, Jean Falloin, a poet and "gastronome."
One Head Too Many
by Edward Einhorn
King Jo: John Blaylock
Narrator/Prince Hermy: Peter B. Brown
King Kustard/Jo's Father: Ian W. Hill
Princess Lilla/Queen Zilda: Uma Incrocci
Queen Jo/Dame Digga: Celia Montgomery
Photo: The cast of "One Head Too Many"
One Head Too Many is a fairytale set on another planet, which tells the story of a Princess
who marries her second head. In her adventures, the Princess meets a witch
who specializes in transforming royalty and a pudding king whom the witch has
transformed. Its absurd humor matches Ionesco's tales, and it uses puppets in
the roles of the second head and various other roles.
Directed by Edward Einhorn
Produced by David A. Einhorn
Original Music by William Niederkorn
Stage Manager & Puppets Design: Berit Johnson
Assistant Stage Manager: Karene Morris
Assistant Director: Glory Sims Bowen
Dramaturg: Karen Ott
Costume Designer: Carla Gant
Set Designer: Michelle Malavet
Lighting Designer: Gregg Carville
Assistant Lighting Designer: Paul Bradley
Costume Design Assistant: Jennifer Rose
Tech Director: Rick Juliano
House Manager: Maxwell Zener
Publicity Materials: Wilde Mule Productions
Publicity by OPR/Origlio Public Relations
Interns: Jenn Ingham, Lindsay Mejer, Stacey Pulamano, Alexandra Cohen-Spiegler, Jennifer Spinello, Lauren Vaicels, Katy Wright-Mead
Photo: Uma Incrocci and Josette in "Tales for Children"
Performances were at Theatre 80
June 6-29, 2004
Previous performances were held at at P.S. 122, from August 10 - August 25 as part
of the New York International Fringe Festival
and performances of Tales for Children and To Prepare a Hard Boiled Egg were
also held as part of the IONESCO FESTIVAL
Photo: Uma Incrocci and Hermy in "One Head Too Many"
REVIEWS
"The laughter feels like spring in Fairy Tales of the Absurd... a bright
production with witty music and puppets galore….Almost unbearably funny.
[Peter B. Brown's] pacing and diction are perfect."
The New York Times, D. J. R. Bruckner, June 18, 2003
"Ionesco's puncturing of pretension and his ability to find pure silliness
in the everyday seem tailor-made for the young...the staging is also hilarious."
The New York Times, Laurel Graeber, June 20, 2003
"Staged with Pop Art panache by Edward Einhorn, Tales for Children...
jauntily lays out Ionesco's thematic preoccupation with the way our minds are duped
from the outset by parental chicanery."
The Village Voice September 18, 2001
"While many adults may find the show enjoyable and humorous,
children savor the zany nature of the fairy tales."
Theatermania, June 13, 2003
"The use of puppetry, bright colored costumes, props, and sets, and
cheerful music between scenes lends this would be-Electra story a bouncy
sensibility that children will appreciate…The costumes in "Head" have a
Mardi Gras quality to them, and the actors' make-up is terrific.
Incrocci's extra head is another example of puppetry executed with
charm and style."
Show Business Weekly June 25, 2003
"Ian W. Hill portrays the most personable and engaging talking food
that I believe I've ever seen on stage. You'll be enchanted by the delicious
variety of two writers' imaginations-Ionesco's and Einhorn's-as they take
you and your family on a pleasant and happy journey to the cockeyed worlds
beyond our own."
Nytheatre.com, June 11, 2003
"The small cast of actors is excellent. Uma Incrocci is a gifted puppeteer.
Peter B. Brown and Celia Montgomery are so versatile that they nearly steal
the show. It's quite an assembly of talent, including the first-rate puppetry.
Curtain Up, June 13, 2003
"Like any good comedy sketch, "One Head Too Many" works on several levels.
The silliness obviously appeals to the very young while at the same time the
witty dialog among the bickering parents can be appreciated by adults. Mr. Einhorn's
particular brand of humor makes this story ideal family fare. Children's theater and
literature are all the richer thanks to Mr. Einhorn's wealth of talents."
PuppetMaster, June 25, 2003
"An unequivocal delight"
Electronic Link, June 18, 2003
"A winning cast...As director, Einhorn demonstrates a perfection of timing and
expression...the gift of Einhorn is the common humanity he injects into his
delightfully idiosyncratic characters."
New York Arts Magazine, September 9, 2002
"A delighful introduction to the wonders of the surreal...light-hearted and
entertaining without becoming sugar-coated."
Off-Off-Broadway Review
"A fun, imaginative and playful time for all."
NYTheatre.com Auust 15, 2002
"A witty exaggeration of the ageless parental ritual of storytelling to children."
New York Theatre Wire
"A very enjoyable show, fabulous for the adults and fabulous the the kids."
"Hi Drama" August 16, 2002
"Peter Brown wittily plays a chef giving a lecture on how to boil an egg,
keeping his tongue firmly in cheek."
Back Stage November 30, 2001
Click here to return to our home page