Ada/Ava Tickets

Ada/Ava is a compelling work of theater that has captured audiences with its unique blend of puppetry, shadow play, and live performance. Created by the Chicago-based theater company Manual Cinema, Ada/Ava tells the story of twin sisters Ada and Ava, who are forced to confront their mortality after one of them dies. Through a sequence of hauntingly beautiful scenes, the play explores themes such as grief, loss, and the power of memory.

One of the most striking aspects of Ada/Ava is the use of puppetry and shadow play to tell the story. The play utilizes both traditional hand puppets and shadow puppets to create a stunning visual landscape that immerses the audience in the world of the story. The puppeteers themselves are also integral to the performance, as they move the puppets and interact with each other on stage in a choreographed dance that is as much a part of the storytelling as the dialogue.

In addition to the puppetry, Ada/Ava also incorporates live performance by the actors who portray the sisters and the other characters in the play. The combination of these different elements creates a theatrical experience that is both visually stunning and emotionally powerful.

Another key element of Ada/Ava is the use of music and sound. The play features an original score composed by Kyle Vegter and Ben Kauffman, which ranges from haunting melodies to intense, percussive beats. The sound design, by Vegter and Julia Miller, is also an essential component of the production, adding depth and texture to the scenes and helping to create a sense of atmosphere.

The success of Ada/Ava has been due in no small part to the skill and creativity of Manual Cinema's ensemble of artists. The company, which was founded in 2010, is comprised of designers, musicians, puppeteers, and performers, all of whom work together to create visually stunning and emotionally resonant works of theater. In addition to Ada/Ava, Manual Cinema has also created a number of other original productions, including Lula del Ray and The End of TV.

In its use of puppetry, shadow play, live performance, music, and sound, Ada/Ava represents a groundbreaking approach to theater that is both innovative and deeply affecting. By weaving together these different elements, Manual Cinema has created a work of art that transcends traditional boundaries and offers audiences a truly unique theatrical experience.