Samson Y Hiss presents:
One-Handed Witch
From the mind of acclaimed circus composer, record-holding one-man band and self-proclaimed “theatre polluter” Samson Y Hiss, One-Handed Witch is a truly enchanting entertainment experience with original film, shadow puppets and live music. And now it makes its Chicago premiere!
A fiery witch loses her hand to an angry mob, tames wild beasts in the forest, and starts hustling small town folk and casinos out of all their money, with just one hand. One-Handed Witch is a silent film of savagery and survival.
One-Handed Witch will be screened with a live musical score performed by a band of witches. She sold out Oakland, smoked Los Angeles and shook the New Orleans Giant Puppet Festival like thunder. Chicago, she's coming!
Tickets $25-50.
Samson Y Hiss
Samson Y Hiss is a circus composer and theatre polluter. He was deemed "Most likely to be run over by a train in the next year!" by a passing train conductor. His musical works have been performed by circus acts, theatre groups, chamber ensembles, burlesque dancers and now shadow puppet artists in One-Handed Witch.
About One-Handed Witch
Story: The concept for this experience came after Hiss fell off his bike in the rain on the Lefty O'Doul Bridge in San Francisco and broke his wrist. After an x-ray confirmed his swollen suspicions he started to compose organ music for one hand. One day while playing a Wizard Of Oz slot machine inspiration struck and he wrote the script for One-Handed Witch.
Music: Hailing from Oakland, Hiss’ credits include Poison Circus and Circus Screams, theatre works about mental illness. His unorthodox score is striking from beginning to end. There are no repeated melodies or motives for characters. Each vignette is a new piece of discordant music utilizing electric organ, toy piano, turntable, even a kitchen sink.
Shadow Puppets: The shadow puppets and film come from filmmakers and shadow artists Rita Deiola and Sara Draghi in Italy. Working with storyboards, sketches, and musical cues, they created the world of the film with light and shadow.
Artist Credits
Puppets: Rita Deiola and Sara Draghi hail from Italy. Their most recent credit includes: Svegliati Europa, a film about the drama of immigration. With storyboards, sketches, and musical cues, they created the One-Handed Witch world with light and shadow.
Special thanks: Rita Deiola, Sara Draghi and Paul Dab