An Erik Ehn play cycle based on traditional folk tales opens the 17th season for Dallas' Undermain Theatre Oct. 21. Swedish Tales of Woe, directed by Bruce DuBose, comes back to Dallas after its first incarnation, Gold Into Mud, took its bows at New York City's HERE as a part of American Living Room 2000.
Swedish Tales of Woe filters the elements of fairy tales through Ehn's language acrobatics. Among the characters inhabiting this world are a giant, talking, conniving animals; a Gypsy Prince, trolls, and the Sun and Moon. All are represented through actors in mask, puppets, dance and animation. Ehn is the author of Wolf at the Door, Beginner, Erotic Curtsies, Chokecherry and Red Plays.
The company features John Athas, Kevin Nash, Erin Neal, Russell Pickering and Claire Wladis.
The collaborative design team includes Jose Figueroa, Robert McVay, Valerie Moore, Katherine Owens, Robert Winn and Happy Yancey.
Swedish tales of Woe run through Nov. 4. Tickets are $20-$8. The Undermain Theatre Basement Space is located at 3200 Main Street. For reservations, call (214) 747-5515. The Undermain Theatre is on the web at http://www.undermain.com. -- By Christine Ehren
