Play weaves fairy tales into darkly beautiful story at UIC

“The Secret in the Wings” by Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman is being presented at UIC Theatre.

The School of Theatre and Music is presenting “The Secret in the Wings,” a play from Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman that weaves seven fairy tales to create a darkly beautiful story utilizing beasts, beauties and other characters from childhood stories. The play is directed by UIC School of Theatre and Music director and Lookingglass ensemble member Christine Mary Dunford.

WHEN:

Nov. 11, 12, 16, 17 and 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 13 and 20 at 2 p.m.

WHERE:

UIC Theatre

1044 W. Harrison St.

DETAILS:

According to Dunford, the play opens with a little girl “left in the forest” of her home where she should feel safe. There is a neighbor, a stranger who is an ogre that no one else can or will see. It is a retelling of the “Beauty and the Beast” story, where the girl realizes in the end that the Beast is lovable. Dunford says she finds honesty and beauty along with hope in fairy tales through their “openhanded, generous, playfulness.”

Dunford said she has been rewarded working with UIC students on the play, which does not have a linear narrative but is rich in images and metaphors that leave room for actors and the audience to chip away at interpreting meanings together.

Along with being an associate professor of theatre at UIC, Dunford has been an ensemble member with the Lookingglass Theatre Company since 1989. The play was written by Lookinglass member and MacArthur and Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman.

“I have been in love with the text since I ran lights for The Secret in the Wings when it was first produced with Lookingglass in 1991. I thought it would be a good exercise in style for UIC students, and an opportunity for me to spend more time thinking about metaphor and movement in storytelling,” said Dunford.

Tickets are required.

Click here to see a promotional video.