MASTER
 
 

Franz Kafka's The Castle by The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium

By FringeArts (other events)

18 Dates Through Sep 22, 2013
 
ABOUT ABOUT

Hilarious and treacherous: a dark comedy invoking the absurdity of Monty Python, the intrigue of The Maltese Falcon, and the search for identity à la Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. The Ridiculopathy that brought you Gombrowicz's Ivona and toilet paper roll hair at the 2012 Fringe.

Read the artists' interview on the FringeArts Blog HERE.

Check out the artists' page HERE

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A rarely-performed adaptation of the story by Franz Kafka often cited as one of the 100 greatest novels ever written will be presented by The Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium at this year’s FringeArts Festival. The Castle, a hilarious and treacherous dark comedy invoking the absurdity of Fawlty Towers, the intrigue of The Maltese Falcon and the search for identity a la Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, will preview at Second Stage at The Adrienne Theater, 2030 Sansom Street in Philadelphia beginning Tuesday, September 3 through Thursday, September 5, 2013 at 7:30 pm and will open Friday, September 6 at 7:30 pm, running through Sunday, September 22.

Franz Kafka (1883–1924) was a Czechoslovakian-born German-language novelist and short story writer, regarded by critics as one of the most influential authors of the 20th century. Kafka’s works The Metamorphosis and The Trial depict the seemingly endless frustrations in man's attempts to stand against the system while pursuing a futile and unobtainable goal.

Kafka began writing the German-language novel The Castle in 1922, and died of tuberculosis prior to finishing. Max Brod, Kafka’s longtime editor and friend, defied his colleague’s dying wish that his writings be destroyed and convinced a publisher to print the first edition in 1926. Brod's translation received several theatrical productions around the globe, including one directed by Ingmar Bergman in Sweden, but was virtually unknown to American audiences. In the early 2000’s, Aaron Leichter and David Fishelson of the Manhattan Ensemble Theatre commissioned a translation of Brod’s interpretation from German, did some adapting of their own, and presented the 12 scene, 80 minute play as the season opener at the MET in 2002.

IRC audience favorite David Stanger (Witold Gombrowicz’s Ivona, Princess of Burgundia and Nikolai Gogol’s Marriage) will play “K”, leading the cast of IRC veterans John D’Alonzo, Greg Day, Tomas Dura, Michael Dura, Ethan Lipkin, Kirsten Quinn, Sonja Robson, Pat Lewis, Ingrid Robson and Tina Brock, joined by IRC newcomers Jerry Puma and Jerry Rudasill.

This Philadelphia premiere will feature the extraordinary talents of costume designer Erica Hoelscher (Ivona, Marriage, Charles Mee’s Paradise Park) and set designer Anna Kiraly (Paradise Park, Nikolai Gogol’s Marriage), who will be joined by lighting designer Robin Stamey (Pig Iron Theatre Company, BRAT Productions, Rebecca Davis Dance Company).

Known as “K,” the story’s protagonist is a land surveyor summoned by unidentified castle officials for an undisclosed purpose. K’s desperate and hilarious struggle to be understood by the villagers unfolds as he valiantly responds to his mysterious call of duty. His journey is fraught with surreal surprises -- snow, snow and more snow, traitorous acquaintances and a host of Kafkaesque obstacles.

Restrictions

All sales are final. Ticket exchanges are for Festival Members only. If you are interested in becoming a Festival member, call the Box Office at 215.413.1318.

E-Tickets: There are no tickets to pick-up. All tickets are sent to you as a link in an e-mail. Tickets are required at the door and need to be scanned before entering. Bring your ticket as a print out or go green and display the QR code on your smart device.

Late Seating: Do not be late. If you arrive after the start time, you are not guaranteed entry.

Mailing Address

140 N. Columbus Blvd. (at Race St.) Philadelphia, PA 19106