Culture

Chicago’s Rough House Theater Company is hitting the road like a punk band, touring to eight cities across the Midwest and East Coast with their production of Ubu the King, Alfred Jarry’s 1896 masterpiece of absurdo-surrealism, elaborately retold with original music and over 60 stunning hand-crafted puppets.

In a new adaptation by artistic director Mike Oleon, Rough House’s Ubu the King brings Jarry’s seminal satire to life in all its absurd, grotesque glory. In the hands of five power hungry puppeteer-performers, Pa Ubu murders, lies, and farts his way up to the Polish throne – and back down again. Beautifully designed and meticulously realized by designer Grace Needlman, Rough House’s Ubu is ridiculous, heartbreaking, and spectacular.

On Aug. 1 the show is coming to ARTS/West, with doors opening at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and available for purchase at the door. 

Rough House’s complete tour schedule:

Tuesday, 7/26 – Detroit, MI (The Jam Handy), 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, 7/28 – Brooklyn, NY (Cloud City), 7:30 p.m.

Friday, 7/29 – Brooklyn, NY (Cloud City), 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, 7/30 – Baltimore, MD (EMP Collective), 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, 7/31 – Pittsburgh, PA (Spirit Lounge), 9:00 p.m.

Monday, 8/1 – Athens, OH (ARTS/West), 7:30 p.m. 

Tuesday, 8/2 – Lousiville, KY (Tim Faulkner Gallery), 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, 8/4 – Indianapolis, IN (Tube Factory Artspace) 7:30 p.m.