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Wakka Wakka

Dead As a Dodo

Presented by Baruch Performing Arts Center, a co-production with Nordland Visual Theatre, Nord Universitet and The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival

photos: Erato Tzavara, Richard Termine

“These people may be geniuses.” – The New York Times

Deep within the underworld, two skeleton friends – a Dodo and a boy – tirelessly dig for fresh bones. Their ancient skeletal forms are deteriorating and without them they will disappear completely. One day, something peculiar happens: the Dodo miraculously sprouts feathers! A wave of transformation begins, shattering the established order of the dead. As the Dodo continues to grow flesh, fear and chaos erupt. The two friends must flee, fighting to stay together as they are drawn into the heart of an epic battle between life and death. Infused with puppetry, humor, and stunning visual effects, the Drama Desk and Obie Award-winning theater company Wakka Wakka conjures a mesmerizing musical odyssey about survival, transformation and the power of true friendship.

Note: This production incorporates fog, loud noises and strobe lighting. It is appropriate for ages 7 and up.

SCHEDULE

Wednesday, January 8 @ 7pm
Thursday, January 9 @ 7pm
Friday, January 10 @ 7pm
Saturday, January 11 @ 3pm
Saturday, January 11 @ 7pm
Sunday, January 12 @ 3pm
Sunday, January 12 @ 7pm
Tuesday, January 14 @ 7pm
Wednesday, January 15 @ 7pm
Thursday, January 16 @ 7pm
Friday, January 17 @ 7pm
Saturday, January 18 @ 3pm
Saturday, January 18 @ 7PM
Sunday January 19 @ 3pm

Run time: 75 minutes

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VENUE

The Baruch Performing Arts Center
One Bernard Baruch Way
55 Lexington Ave
NYC, NY 10010

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Access:
Accessible seating is reserved exclusively for patrons with accessible needs and their companions. Patrons purchasing accessible seating may purchase one (1) accessible seat and one (1) companion seat adjacent to the accessible seat. Lightweight infrared assistive listening headsets are available for our hearing-impaired guests. Please contact the box office in advance to request an Assistive Listening Device. Wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains are located on the B3 level inner lobby.

CREDITS

Written and Directed by Gwendolyn Warnock and Kirjan Waage with help from the ensemble
Ensemble: Alexandra Bråss, Lei Lei Bavoil, Dorothy James, Andy Manjuck, Hanna Magrete Muir, Sigurd Rosenberg, Peter Russo, Marie Skogvang-Stork, Anna Soland, Kirjan Waage, Olivia Zerphy
Producers: Kirjan Waage, Gwendolyn Warnock and Gabrielle Brechner
Associate Producer: Tom Gustafson
Puppet Design and Construction: Kirjan Waage
Props and Additional Puppet Construction: Lei-Lei Bavoil, Alexandra Bråss, Frida Vige Helle, Dorothy James, Andy Manjuck, Hanna Magrete Muir, Jack Markussen, Sigurd Rosenberg, Peter Russo, Marie Skogvang-Stork, Anna Soland
Original Music and Sound Design: Thor Gunnar Thorvaldsson
Projection Design: Erato Tzavara
Lighting Design: Daphne Agosin
Set Design and Costume Design: Gwendolyn Warnock and Kirjan Waage
Additional Prop, Painting and Sewing: Rosalie Arends, Cornelia Waage, Jack Markussen

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Wakka Wakka is a critically acclaimed non-profit visual theatre company founded by co-artistic directors Kirjan Waage and Gwendolyn Warnock. Their mission is to push the boundaries of the imagination by creating works that are bold, unique and unpredictable. Since 2001 Wakka Wakka has created and produced 13 original works of theatre which have toured extensively throughout the US and abroad.  With subject matter ranging from the financial crisis in Iceland (SAGA), to international consumerism and human rights (Made in China), to genetic manipulation and the survival of mankind far into the future (The Immortal Jellyfish Girl), the company transcends the everyday by posing questions about humanity through the lens of comedic fantasy, devising visually thrilling work which incorporates puppetry, object manipulation, masks, video art and original music. Wakka Wakka has been honored with an Obie Award, a Drama Desk Award and two UNIMA Citations of Excellence.  Additionally, the company’s work has won awards in China and Croatia and has been nominated for four additional Drama Desk Awards, a Helen Hayes Award and a Hewes Design Award

CREATION + FUNDING

A co-production with Nordland Visual Theatre, Nord University and The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival. Funded by the Arts Council of Norway and FFUK. Baruch PAC’s presentation of Dead as a Dodo is made possible with support from The Jim Henson Foundation.