Press information for The Yellow Wallpaper
Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble closes their 8th season with an updated theatrical production of their original adaptation of “The Yellow Wallpaper.” First produced six years ago, this iteration of the play continues to bring the short story to life through new text adaptations; lurid and complex wallpaper descriptions (portrayed through voice and movement by a chorus of four women); new staging and set design; and, building on the original music composed for the first production, Joe Griffin’s new sound design adds to the eerie backdrop for production.
download complete press release
PPD Survivors Blog
August 18, 2008
The Yellow Wallpaper: Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble performs Charlotte Perkins Gilman's famous story
I'm fascinated that a dance company is going to perform an adaptation of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper." This is one of my favorite books of all time for several reasons. For one, it was written in 1891 by an amazingly strong woman who had suffered from postpartum depression. It was in 1887 when she was suffering, when her doctor advised her to go home and live "as domestic a life as far as possible" and to "never touch a pen, brush or pencil" as long as she lived. Nevermind that she was a writer. So Charlotte obeyed her doctor's instructions and nearly went completely insane. At the "borderline of utter mental ruin," Charlotte thankfully picked up a pen at the encouragement of a friend and wrote "The Yellow Wallpaper." She then sent a copy of the book to the good doctor, who naturally never acknowledged it.
Read reviews from orginal performance:
Adler's compelling `Yellow' drives imagination up the wall
Chicago Tribune; Chicago, Ill.; Apr 28, 2003; Lucia Mauro, Special to the Tribune;DANCE REVIEW.
Ellyzabeth Adler, founder of the 2-year-old Adler Danztheatre Project, has discovered her muse in the evocative exposed-brick walls of Belle Plaine Studios. The dance space, which feels like a 19th Century sculptor's atelier, ideally informs Adler's multisensory approach to merging movement and text-based drama.
Read past reviews of productions
Voices Project- Chicago Stories
Listen to Interview from WBEZ's 3 to See
Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble & Kids Project 2480 N. Albany Ave. Unit 1 Chicago, IL 60647