Fuerza Bruta Lets You Take the Stage

The Argentine troupe's Look Up hits Chicago's Auditorium Theatre

By Venus Zine Staff
Published: June 28th, 2010 | 5:50pm

Fuerza Bruta requires more than a few things of its audience—a sense of curiosity, an open mind, and the willingness to get a little bit wet.

The show comes from the creators of De La Guarda, the original gravity-defying genre-buster. This performance picks up where that show left off, and is similarly difficult to describe, and that's exactly what makes it a must-see. It's a bit like living through a dream—not quite a nightmare, but one of those intense, dizzying puzzlers that that you can't quite shake hours or even days after you wake up. It's full of peculiar yet arresting imagery, in the form of large contraptions and tangible objects that don't quite fit together: a human-sized conveyor belt-treadmill, confetti, cardboard boxes, fog, plastic patio furniture, and something that can only be described as a larger-than-life, suspended Slip 'N' Slide.

The show technically starts before you even get inside the theater with a bar-and-music setup. (Tip: if you're one who shies away from audience participation, a cocktail or two might not be such a bad idea.) From there, you're lead up onto the stage with the rest of the show-goers and when the mesh curtain drops, separating you from the expanse of empty seats that will stay that way, you know that you really will be plopped directly in the action.

To say much more would ruin the fun—but don't hesitate to take part, even if you're skeptical. Look Up will leave you breathless and smiling, if also wishing for a hairdryer.

The show runs through July 25, 2010. Get tickets and info here.