Life of Death Dramaturgical Guide

You have seven more chances to see it.  Here is a little extra info and deep thoughts sort of thing for you...also good for the school kids out there.  Bring your id to get a student discount!  Industry discounts on thursdays and sundays as well!

A Monster Rally, Trucks Optional

Carolyn Defrin, friend of the 'Claw and company member with The House Theatre (which is probably a haunted house, anyway) is one of the masterminds behind the new website The Monster Weekly, which promises to chronicle the ordinary and extraordinary lives of monsters. Every week, you will be given new insight into the world of monsters, as they live, love, share and scare, by way of original artwork and stories.

Now, ordinarily, one of the Claws could be expected to roll eyes heavenward, heave a haughty sniff, and say, "ADORABLE MONSTERS? Monsters aren't supposed to be ADORABLE."

But in this instance, I believe you will agree that we must make an exception.

Adorable.

Jack O' Turnip

From Wikipedia.org:

Jack-o'-lanterns in Kobe, Japan

Development of artifacts and symbols associated with Halloween formed over time. The turnip has traditionally been used in Ireland and Scotland at Halloween,^[38][39] but immigrants to North America used the native pumpkin, which is both much softer and much larger – making it easier to carve than a turnip.^[38] Subsequently, the mass marketing of various size pumpkins in autumn, in both the corporate and local markets, has made pumpkins universally available for this purpose. The American tradition of carving pumpkins is recorded in 1837^[40] and was originally associated with harvest time in general, not becoming specifically associated with Halloween until the mid-to-late 19th century.^[41]

The imagery of Halloween is derived from many sources, including national customs, works of Gothic and horror literature (such as the novels Frankenstein and Dracula) and classic horror films (such as Frankenstein and The Mummy).^[42] One of the earliest works on the subject of Halloween is from Scottish poet John Mayne, who, in 1780, made note of pranks at Halloween; "What fearfu' pranks ensue!", as well as the supernatural associated with the night, "Bogies" (ghosts), influencing Robert Burns' Halloween 1785.^[43] Elements of the autumn season, such as pumpkins, corn husks and scarecrows, are also prevalent. Homes are often decorated with these types of symbols around Halloween.

Halloween imagery includes themes of death, evil, the occult, and mythical monsters.^[44] Black and orange are the holiday's traditional colors.

The Celtic traditional or American update: both are damn tasty.

WildClaw's Weird, Grandma!

WildClaw is proud to present a One-Night-Only unholy alliance with Chicago institution Barrel of Monkeys.

Barrel of Monkeys uses theatre, dance, spectacle and comedy to present creative writing from CPS elementary students as original sketches and songs.

Tonight, WildClaw joins BOM as special guests in their cross-cultural and cross-community extravaganza, Chicago's Weird, Grandma!

WildClaw company members and some extended family will be putting their own devilish spin on an Untitled piece by Francisco V from the Loyola Park After School Program, which shows what happens when a zombie horde meets Kid's Best Friend.

SEE Casey Cunningham as a young girl who laughs in the face of bedtime!
SEE Michaela Petro as the most loyal pet a kid could ever hope to have in a zombie apocalypse!
SEE Dave Skvarla as the leader of the zombie horde!
SEE Moira Begale as the ambassador from beyond the stars!
SEE Mandy Walsh as a mom who knows how to keep her family safe!
SEE Ele Matelan in jeans and a t-shirt!

Say “Rombies!” at the Box Office for discounted tickets.

Anderson Lawfer talks Pontypool! Opening October 13th at Strawdog Hugen Hall

Why Pontypool Is Important To Me
By Anderson Lawfer

I love Zombie Movies. Love em. I love the idea of different races, ages, socioeconomic
statuses of people banding together to battle a common enemy. Sort of like Star Trek! I
love the use of found objects as weapons. I love how easy zombies die. I love the fact the
no one in a zombie movie has ever seen a zombie movie. I love the inescapable end all
characters face. They may live through the movie, but you know where they are headed.

The compass has only one direction. This is a real life truth, as well.

But, my favorite part of every zombie movie is the first 25 minutes. When the disease
starts in a small place, possibly spread by a corporation, or the Government. Maybe it
started on a farm! Maybe it is from Aliens! It never really matters where it starts, and the
good ones never let us know, because our protagonists do not know.

What excites me is the speculation, paranoia, and confusion.

It’ is a theme I find myself being drawn to in most of my favorite pieces of work. Kafka’s
The Trial was my first experience as a young adult with this theme. Why is Joseph K.
being arrested? WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING OOOOON?!

In zombie flicks as in Real Life we are, more often than not, not given the information we
need to make a proper decision. We have to rely on information from news channels and
friends, tweets and text messages.

Do you remember the morning of September 11th? We all turned on the news expecting
them to have the answers, but nobody had any answers. All we knew was that some shit
went down that was going to change everything. It took us a good 8 excruciating hours
to have ANY actual information, but during those 8 hours, it was an endless stream of
theories and designs we made in our brains that meant nothing and almost none of those
ideas ended up being the real answer.

So to me, Pontypool is the perfect piece. It is the clearest horror allegory for the world
we live in now. No answers, only a relentless storm of horrifying information with no
discernment.

The War Of The Worlds on crack.

To me, there is nothing scarier.

-Anderson Lawfer

Get more info and tickets here!

The Life of Death is Open!

Here's a little peak...use the code BRINGOUTYOURDEAD for two for one tickets at the box office.

Photos by Kevin Mullaney.

Happy Birthdays

to WildClaw Artistic Associate Karen Tarjan

Clive Barker

and "The Life of Death"

secret code phrase "BRING OUT YOUR DEAD"

gets you two for one tickets at the box office!

(first two weeks of the run only)

Haunted Chicago at the Chicago History Musuem

There are so many cool things to do in Chicago at any given time...but I for one think October is the very best time to be a Chicagoan. The Bears are playing. The leaves are turning. And the dead are often rising. Oh and Wildclaw is doing a little play! In addition, check out some of the awesome tours and events at the Chicago History Museum. I am planning to go to a couple myself.

Chicago's Deathly Past
Unwrap the eerie history of our neighborhood at the Museum. You might not see dead people, but you will certainly be surrounded by them.
Garden of the Dead: The History of Lincoln Park’s Elusive Graves
Thursday, November 1, 6:30 p.m.

Chicago’s early dead were trafficked into and out of its first municipal graveyard, the Chicago City Cemetery. Pamela Bannos of the Hidden Truths Project shares stories of grave robbers, improper burials, and the confusion that led to Lincoln Park.
Cost: $10, $8 members

Haunted History of the History Museum
Wednesday, November 7, 6:30 p.m.
Take a ghost tour without leaving your chair. Curators Jill Austin and Naomi Blumberg will introduce you to some of the Museum’s creepiest artifacts and its haunted past.
Cost: $10, $8 members

Unfolding Tales: The Lingering Legacy of the Chicago City Cemetery
Tuesday, November 13, 6:30 p.m.
On this spine-tingling evening, Pamela Bannos digs up Lincoln Park’s hidden haunted history.
Cost: $10, $8 members

Creepy Cemetery Tours
Meet at the cemetery entrance.
Rosehill Cemetery West
Sunday, October 7, 1:00–3:30 p.m.

Al Walavich guides you through the west side of Rosehill Cemetery. Tour meets at 5600 North Western Avenue.
Cost: $16, $10 members
Graceland Cemetery
Saturday, October 27 and Sunday October 28, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–3:00 p.m.; Wednesday, October 31, 1:00–3:00 p.m.

Experience old Chicago via the graves of Marshall Field, Louis Sullivan, Potter and Bertha Palmer, and George Pullman. Tours meet at Irving Park Road and Clark Street.
Cost: $16, $10 members
Saturday, October 27, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 27, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 28, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 28, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 31, 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Bohemian National Cemetery: Locked In After Dark!
Sundays November 4, and November 11, 3:30–5:30 p.m.
This unique opportunity to tour Bohemian National begins as the gates are locked and concludes after dusk. Headlamps or flashlights recommended; please bring your own. Reservations required, space is extremely limited!
Cost: $35, $30 members
Sunday, November 4
Sunday, November 11

Eerie Bus and Trolley Tours
Devil in the White City
Saturdays, October 6, November 3, and December 8, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Experience the excitement of 1893 Chicago on this unique tour based on Erik Larson’s best-selling book. Follow Daniel Burnham’s plans and learn about the devilish doings of H. H. Holmes as you explore the World’s Columbian Exposition.
Cost: $50, $40 members
Saturday, October 6
Saturday, November 3
Saturday, December 8

Chicago Sinister: Spiritualists, Spooks, and Memento Mori
Saturday, November 10, 3:00–7:00 p.m.
Venture into the parlor of the infamous Bangs sisters, learn the truth behind Resurrection Mary, and ponder the murderous objects collected by the Whitechapel Club and the Noose Coffee Shop.
Cost: $50, $40 members

Scene of the Crime: Infamous Chicago History
Saturday, November 17, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Richard Lindberg leads a brand-new bus tour of infamous murder sites, gangster hideaways, and the deep underbelly of the city.
Cost: $50, $40 members

Paranormal Pub Crawls
BOO-ze! Haunted History Pub Crawl
Wednesdays, October 17 and October 24, and Thursday, October 18, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
Travel by trolley to Chicago’s most haunted drinking establishments with supernatural expert Ursula Bielski.
Cost: $30, $25 members
Wednesday, October 17
Thursday, October 18
Wednesday, October 24

Booze, Bars, and Bootlegging! Prohibition Era Chicago
Sundays, October 21 and November 18, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Find out what makes Chicago untouchable. Get a taste of infamous speakeasies frequented by some of Chicago’s infamous gangsters like Capone, Moran, and Dillinger. On this trolley tour, learn how prohibition came to be, some fascinating facts about the era, and how it ultimately shaped the city and its image.
Cost: $30, $25 members
Sunday, October 21
Sunday, November 18

Scary Special Events
Mysterious Museum and Garden of the Dead
Friday, October 12, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
This night of fright begins with a curator-led flashlight tour of the eerier parts of the Museum. From there, the journey moves outdoors to Lincoln Park’s plagued past. Bring your own flashlight; reservations required for this very rare opportunity!
Cost: $25, $20 members

Tomb Talks and Ghost Stories
Fridays, October 19 and October 26, and Tuesday, October 30, 6:30 p.m.
Join us for some spooktacular stories! We'll gather on the grounds of the original city cemetery and cozy up next to the only remaining tomb - the Couch Tomb. The first half of our bone-chilling hour will introduce you to the history of the cemetery while the last half focuses on ghost story telling. All Chicago centered, of corpse! Flashlights and blankets are a must as we'll be in the park at night!
Cost: $15, $10 members
Friday, October 19
Friday, October 26
Tuesday, October 30

Free Horror Movie Nights
Get ready for Halloween with two horror classics on Sundays at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Beer garden at Sheffield's, 3258 North Sheffield Avenue
Cost: Free. No reserved seating, so come early!
Silence of the Lambs
Sunday, October 21
Halloween
Sunday, October 28

Pints, Pumpkins, and Painting
Tuesday, October 23, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Sheffield’s, 3258 North Sheffield Avenue
Make your own Halloween monster by creating a carved or painted pumpkin. This evening will combine history, art, and spirits (of both kinds). Fee includes craft instruction and materials; beverages and food not included.
Cost: $25, $20 members

Tap into History: Haunted Chicago Beer Dinner
Thursday, October 25, 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Location: Whole Foods Market Lincoln Park
1550 N. Kingsbury
Chef Won Kim pairs beer and food at Whole Foods Lincoln Park for this evening of spookily good culinary delights, supernatural brews, and hair-raising history.
Cost: $35, $30 members

Abracadabra! A Night of Magic
Monday, October 29, cocktails 6:30 p.m., show, 7:30 p.m.
Marvel at strolling and fully staged performances by Suzanne the Magician and David Kovac the Modern-Day Vaudevillian, while enjoying cocktails from a cash bar.
Cost: $35, $30 members

City of Ghosts: A Historic Seance
Wednesday, October 31, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Spend Halloween uncovering the dark secrets of Chicago’s macabre past, with an interactive program of spine-tingling stories, eerie histories, and inexplicable supernatural occurrences. Space is extremely limited; reservations are required.
Cost: $35, $30 members

Wicked Walking Tours
The Wizard of Oz
Saturday, October 20, 5:30 p.m.
On this enchanted stroll, focus on the real story behind L. Frank Baum’s flying monkeys, wicked witches, and wild wizards. Tour meets at Webster and Burling.
Cost: $16, $10 members

How about a yummy plate of boils?

The cast and crew of Clive Barker's The Life of Death had a glorious tech weekend doing weird and disgusting stuff.  During downtime, many folks took part in the undignified task of making the boils...you heard me....boils!  Here is a little sneak peak of what you are in for....get your tickets now!

Yummy.

The Massacre

MASSACRE FANS: Are you ready for THE MASSACRE (Oct. 20-Portage Theater)?!! 
NIGHTMARE ON ELM ST. 3, HALLOWEEN II, FRENZY, HAUSU, PRINCE OF DARKNESS, CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF, PHANTASM II, RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD 
and more on 35mm film for only $20!

more at http://www.facebook.com/terrorintheaisles; 

tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/268053