Synopsis
Described by Bertolt Brecht as a “gangster play that would recall certain events familiar to us all,” THE RESISTIBLE RISE OF ARTURO UI is a biting satire of Hitler’s rise to power, set in the underworld of 1930s Chicago. Brecht was fascinated by Chicago and the rise of American gangsters like Al Capone. As Hitler consolidated power in Germany, he drew on those obsessions to craft THE RESISTIBLE RISE OF ARTURO UI, a cautionary tale that recasts dictatorship in the guise of Chicago’s criminal underworld. Its parable of corruption, violence, and authoritarianism remains chillingly relevant wherever totalitarianism takes root.
Frank Theatre first staged ARTURO UI in 2001, transforming an old munitions factory on the Metropolitan State University campus into a searing performance space just months after 9/11. Nearly 25 years later, the company returns to Brecht’s cautionary tale with renewed urgency.
“Frank has produced more Brecht than any other playwright, and each time we return to his work, it teaches us something new,” says Artistic Director Wendy Knox. “ARTURO UI is, unfortunately, always timely. After sharing a staged reading last year to an overflowing audience, we knew there was strong demand to see a full production. The play resonates even more powerfully now—so here we go. Come see us.”
Review of Frank Theatre’s 2001 Production
“Frank Theatre’s production of THE RESISTIBLE RISE OF ARTURO UI manages to make theater matter again … The politics in Brecht’s THE RESISTABLE RISE OF ARTURO UI may seem too obvious in a time where Hitler is widely recognized as a vicious dictator, but Frank Theatre points out that a similar poison has entered the realm of global politics, and it too has quietly taken power. In a moment when the policies of the U.S. government can have such a profound effect on the world, Brecht’s political views could not be more appropriate.” — Katy Hanggi, Object Magazine
Recommended for ages 14+.
Masks will be required on Nov. 9 and 20.
Ticket cost: Tickets are $35 ($30, students and seniors); Pay What You Can, Friday, Oct. 31