Open Eye Theatre Presents INVISIBLE FENCES - A Fantastical Theater Experience Set to Music!

July 20 – 23

Created and performed by Kevin Kling & Gaelynn Lea

Open Eye Theatre has announced INVISIBLE FENCES, a new collaboration by singer-songwriter Gaelynn Lea and storyteller-playwright Kevin Kling. They will combine their talents in an original musical fable, which weaves together storytelling and song to create a unique theatrical experience. This production blends their internationally-renowned skills in music and storytelling to create an intimate show that is rich in the wit and wisdom inherent in Disability Culture.

Largroff (Gaelynn Lea) is a platypus who was born with a spontaneous genetic mutation that caused her to sprout wings, horns and a snout. Grasshopper (Kevin Kling) lost two of his limbs as a nymph, and is on a quest to get to the city for a peaceful retirement. Together this unlikely pair embarks on a journey where they come face-to-face with different worlds, dangers and dreams. This musical play touches on identity, disability and the stories we tell ourselves. Featuring Kling’s signature poetic word-play, and an array of songs written and sung by Lea, who plays her violin accompanied by Jeremy Ylvisaker on guitar.

This show will be heavy on fun and adventure, while also centering accessibility and Disability Culture. Every performance will have ASL interpretation as well as projected captioning. There will also be narrated audio descriptions at the beginning of each scene to help blind and low-vision audience members better place themselves in the worlds Lea and Kling are creating. 

INVISIBLE FENCES also features the talents of Claire Looker (costumes) and Claudia Errickson (lighting). Andy Slater is contributing sound art. The show will be directed by Tim White.

For the last three years, Open Eye Theatre has partnered with Kling & Company to co-present the Visionary Voices Series, which showcases extraordinary storytellers with unique and under-represented voices. Recent presentations have featured Dovie Thomason (HOW THE WILD WEST WAS SPUN and ADVENTURES OF AN INDIGENOUS SPACE CADET) and Allison Broeren (FIRE IN MY VEINS). Now Kevin Kling partners with Gaelynn Lea on an original story that injects theatrical flourishes of design, costume and lyrical music. 

Open Eye has invested in making its stage truly accessible for all artists with the recent installation of a wheelchair lift.

About the Artists

Gaelynn Lea is a sought-after public speaker about Disability Rights and accessibility in the arts. She has shared her perspective on PBS NewsHour, On Being with Krista Tippett, The Moth Radio Hour, NowThis, The Science of Happiness Podcast, and via two widely-viewed TEDx Talks. She is currently working on a memoir about her touring adventures and disability advocacy. Learn more at violinscratches.com. After winning NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest in 2016, she has captivated audiences around the world with her haunting original songs and traditional fiddle tunes. Gaelynn Lea has opened for Wilco, The Decemberists, LOW, and the industrial rock supergroup Pigface. Most recently, she composed the music for Macbeth on Broadway, starring Daniel Craig and Ruth Negga.

Kevin Kling, is a writer, performer, storyteller and disability advocate. Known for his humorous stories and thoughtful philosophizing, Kevin has performed in libraries, school gymnasiums, The Kennedy Center, Off-Broadway, regional theaters and storytelling festivals around the world.  Kevin was featured in the Emmy Award winning PBS documentary "Kevin Kling: Lost and Found". He has performed regularly at Open Eye, including GREATEST HITS & JUICY BITS, CHICKEN SHIP, TENDER MERCIES, FOUR DIRECTIONS, and many more.

Tickets:
$26 – General Admission / $15 – Students / $10 – Economic Accessibility

A limited number of $10 Economic Accessibility tickets are available online for all performances. If not sold out, a limited number of pay-as-able tickets will be available at the door. Tickets available at openeyetheatre.org.

Performance Schedule:

Thursday, July 20, 7:30pm

Friday, July 21, 7:30pm

Saturday, July 22, 7:30pm

Sunday, July 23, 2:00pm

.

Ages 8 and up.

.

Every performance will have ASL interpretation as well as projected captioning. There will also be narrated audio descriptions at the beginning of each scene. Contact Open Eye at boxoffice@openeyetheatre.org or 612-874-6338 for accessibility information and requests.

.

Open Eye is located at 506 East 24th Street, 2 blocks south of Franklin Ave between Portland Ave and 35W. Park for free in the Lutheran Social Services lot at 24th and Portland. 612-874-6338