Photo Flash: Neo-Futurists Present LAIKA DOG IN SPACE

Strap on your moon boots for LAIKA DOG IN SPACE, opening Saturday, February 5, 2011 at The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland.

Previews Thursday and Friday, February 3 and 4 at 8:00 p.m. Opening Night: Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. Regular performances continue through March 12, 2011: Thurs/Fri/Sat at 8:00 p.m. Two special pay-what-you-can Monday night performances: February 21 and 28 at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets are $15, $10 for students/seniors with ID, or pay-what-you-can on Thursdays.

All performances take place at The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland

For tickets or information, visit www.neofuturists.org or call 773-275-5255.

Drawing inspiration from the famed French children's story "The Little Prince," and the 1960's cult television show "The Prisoner", the New York Neo-Futurists interpreted the story of Laika, the first mammal in space, for the Ontological-Hysteric Incubator in 2009. Now they are bringing their take on Laika's experience to the Neo-mothership. Puppetry, dance, art installations, live music, and a serving of borscht shuttle audience members back to the mid-50's Soviet space program. The local production fuses Chicago elements to the NY original through musicians, direction and appearances by Chicago Neos.

Creator, Eevin Hartsough, states, "We are really asking ourselves the question of what Laika's story means to us. Even though her adventure ended over 50 years ago, we're able to connect with her in a very personal way. We are investigating how her life has a broader resonance for modern audiences beyond its historical significance."

Rob Neill (Co-writer and Performer) has worked as a Neo-Futurist in New York since 1995 and has performed Too Much Light... in both New York & Chicago. As managing director of the New York Neo-Futurists, he continues to write and perform in the show, tour, and teach workshops. A poet and playwright, Rob has created original pieces for PS 122's Avant-Garde-Arama and Vampire Cowboys' RE-VAMPED and produced The 6-Pack and Apocalypse Neo at the Kraine.

Eevin Hartsough (Co-writer and Performer) has been a proud New York Neo-Futurist since 2006, performing regularly in Too Much Light..., and creating and performing in the award winning New York Neo-Futurist 2008 mainstage show (Not) Just A Day Like Any Other. Outside her work with the Neos, Eevin has worked with companies including Roundabout, Vassar College Experimental Theatre, Manhattan Theater Source, Oberon Theatre Co. and Prospect Theatre Co.

Jill Beckman (Co-writer and Performer) has been an ensemble member with the New York Neo-Futurists since 2008, writing and performing in their signature show, Too Much Light.... Jill trained with Siti Company and Upright Citizens Brigade, and has collaborated with companies including; The Foundry, Saga, Big Dance, The Combustibles, Young JeanLee, Westbeth Entertainment, Rev. Billy, New York Stage and Film, and The Bureau.

Carl Riehl (Composer and Musician) is the accordionist and primary arranger for art-folk-punk band Uncle Moon (www.UncleMoon.com). He composed the musical The Architecture of Sight and music for the performance of Howl at the 2005 Howl! Festival in New York City. Carl has also performed at venues including BAMcafe, the Brooklyn Museum and Green-Wood Cemetery (as part of the Open House New York festival). Theatre collaborations include works with Encompass New Opera Theatre, Prospect Theater Company, and Soho Playhouse, as well as the Neo-Futurist pieces Apocalypse Neo, Tiny Isolation Experiment and Laika Dog In Space.

Phil Ridarelli (Director of Chicago production) has been a Neo-Futurist since the very early days of Too Much Light... As a Neo, he directed Torque as well as pieces for the summer Film Festival. Favorite theatrical performances include the European Premiere of Edward Albee's The Goat; or Who is Sylvia directed by Pam McKinnon at Vienna's English Theatre, Lonely Planet with Northlight, Battle of the Bands and Jonathan Wild with Victory Gardens, and Yeast Nation with American Theatre Company. Ridarelli has also appeared in films including "Road to Perdition", "Meet the Browns", "Mr 3000", "The Dilemma" and "Contagion" and televisions shows including "The Fugitive", "Prison Break", "Detroit 187", "The Chicago Code", and "ER".

Other contributors include: Dave Dalton, Director of the original production in 2009; Chris Dippel, NY Director for the 2010 production; Lauren Parrish, Technical Director; Tim Caldwell, Video Technician; Meg Bashwiner, Costume Design; Lauren Sharpe, Choreography; Adam Smith, Animator of Laika Day; and Justin Tolley, Graphic Designer. The band, The Orbiteers, consists of John Pierson, John Bliss and John Szymanski.

The Neo-Futurists, performers of Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind and creators of over 60 other original, full-length productions, are a collective of wildly productive writer/director/performers who create immediate, non-illusory, interactive and head-slappingly affordable performances.

The Neo-Futurists are partially supported by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, Alphawood Foundation, the Chicago Community Trust, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Foundation, The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, a CityArts 3 grant, The Mayer and Morris Kaplan Family Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, the Arts Work Fund for Organizational Development, and is a participant in the New Generations Program, funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation/The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and administered by TCG.

Photo credit: Lauren Sharpe

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