Jamie Murnane

The Rhinoceros Theater Festival, now in its 16th year, is getting much more "rhinocerontic" (Salvador Dali's word for "really big" that the fest takes its name from). Chicago's fringe festival typically kicks off Labor Day weekend, but was pushed back this year to allow for a longer run that didn't overlap the holiday weekend.

Put on by the Curious Theatre Branch, now in their new Rogers Park digs, the Rhino fest has been known for showcasing some of the most groundbreaking, original theatrics since its inception. But this year, Beau O'Reilly, co-founder of Curious and main producer of Rhino, says the focus is going to be much different.

Because the fest will be longer than usual, O'Reilly says there will be more room for experimentation. "There's really something unusual and special about Curious in that there are four playwrights who produce year in and year out together," he says. "So, we thought, what if all four of us did a piece this year; what would that do and how would that shape the festival?" Come mid-September, that's what everyone's going to find out when new works by O'Reilly, Jenny and Bryn Magnus and Shawn Reddy premiere.

Rhino fest normally hosts many works by others, and typically only a couple Curious members have their own shows, O'Reilly says. This time, they're hosting less to make room for each of their own pieces. Among the four of them, two new plays, a solo piece and a novel will enjoy full runs.

"We're really thinking of the festival as a middle-aged festival," O'Reilly says. "It's no longer a young festival but it hasn't been around so long that it's aged and established either. It still has to fly by its coattails each year."

And that's where the experimentation comes in. O'Reilly says this year, he and his fellow writer-producers decided to work with crucial plays by important playwrights who've "influenced this whole generation of writers." One of these is Dylan Thomas' "Under Milk Wood," whose 65-character play will be performed by O'Reilly and nine of his family members, ranging from 14 to 80 years old.

"That's been really interesting for us as actors," O'Reilly notes.

The Rhinoceros Theater Festival opens September 17 and runs through November 20 at The Curious Theater Branch, 7001 North Glenwood.

(2004-08-25)

Also by Jamie Murnane

'Do it
Lake Michigan dances on one of the protruding second floor platforms of Vision nightclub, shimmying and shaking to the DJ's beats
(2004-08-03)

The Naked City
Dressed as though she's just come from church, Carol's a polite, fragile-looking woman. Her husband George stands near a towering pine tree nearby, completely, shamelessly naked.
(2004-07-20)

about Newcitychicago | about Newcity magazine | advertising | privacy policy | FAQ | employment