Human Identity (Annex Theatre, Seattle Wa)

$22 PRESALE, $25 AT THE DOOR FOR TICKETS GO TO: http://www.annextheatre.org/2015-season/guest-productions/human-identity/ This inventive, funny and eye-opening piece of theater is nothing less than a quest to discover the meaning of human identity. What does it mean to be human? Who am I? Christopher Vened explores the essential predicament of being alive without the sure knowledge of who we are and how we were created. His relentless pursuit for answers often turns to the absurd. What cannot be explained in words is illustrated in mime. In "Human Identity," Vened combines words and physical action in a unique theatrical formula that finds new means of expression and insight. The show runs 90 minutes; there is an intermission." Reviewers commented: Critic's Pick of the Week, January 13, Arts in LA "Vened's skill as a mime enables him to intricately reveal the complex physical organization that makes us human and how it transcends all other life forms on Earth," praised reviewer Julio Martinez, Arts in LA. (January 20014) "Christopher Vened is a one man dynamo in his brilliant show, called "Human Identity." Bonnie Priever, LA Musical Theater Examiner (February 2014) "A true master of his own body, a genius of physical expression and articulation, Christopher Vened, in this one man masterpiece, displays exquisite human agility." Bonnie Priever, LA Musical Theater Examiner (February 2014) "You will find, for instance, that mime is not annoying when the mime speaks, and Vened is accomplished and graceful." Jack Mauro, Stagebuddy.com, New York (September 2014) "His work in Human Identity most comes alive when he illustrates his routine with fluid, intricate movement. The piece itself is a philosophical, intellectual and emotional rumination upon what makes humans so very human as opposed, to say, apes." Amy Lee Pearsall, NY THEATER NOW (September 2014) Spectators commented: "Artful mime rests in the magic of essences, of spirit and heart emerging through motion, of grand images translated into minute, therefore deeply impactful, gestures. Mr. Vened does not pretend, he becomes, and for a sparkling moment IS." Victoria Parker, actor and drama teacher. "I found it full of insight and humor about the human condition. Mr. Vened's use of mime was selective, but used to great effect, often to illustrate some comedic point. I've been recommending the show to friends." Quinn Kelly "I saw Human Identity in Portland. It was so good the first time, I went back to see it again the very next day. If I could take time away from work, I would fly down to LA to see this piece again. It is a piece that you can see at least two to three times. Mr. Vened's skill in mime, his intellectual acumen, and his beautiful vulnerability during the show deeply touched me. The piece is also provocative. Go see it!" Frances Hearn ABOUT Christopher Vened (Writer/Performer) Christopher Vened was born in Poland. He was an actor-mime in the Wroclaw Pantomime Theatre of Henryk Tomaszewski and played leading roles in shows that dazzled the world. In 1977, he was awarded the Brown Spire for the best performance for the dual role of Guest-Dionysus in the production of Arriving Tomorrow. In the end of 1981, he defected to the West while on tour with the company in Germany because martial law was declared in Poland. He was the founder and director of Impulse-Movement Theatre in West Berlin and Drama Studio in Seattle. In 1985, he was awarded a Drama-Logue Award for best choreography for his work in the production of A Voyage to Arcturus at the Odyssey Theater in Los Angeles. He has choreographed and directed shows and taught acting in various studios, universities, and theaters in the United States and Europe. He is the author of the acting book In Character: An Actor's Workbook for Character Development. http://christophervened.com/HumanIdentity/Additional Photos: http://christophervened.com/HumanIdentity/68-2/