In 2017, members of Chicago’s Theatre Y made an extraordinary excursion, walking across Spain’s Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile route that fellow pilgrims have taken for centuries. Starting on the French border and ending in Finisterre (or “the end of the world” in Latin), it inspired the creation of The Camino Project, a mini pilgrimage through Bucktown and Humboldt Park, directed by Melissa Lorraine, written and conceived by Evan Hill, and choreographed by Dénes Döbrei and Heni Varga.
As the group journeys, they encounter various actors along the way. One of the joys of this walking performance is the reaction of people just walking by, or sitting as the sojourners walk past followed by a cast member pushing a cart with loudspeakers emitting music or sound effects. (This was the only downside, as frequently the volume was so loud I covered my ears.) Oftentimes, strangers would watch a particular performance all the way through from the fringes. Early on the journey, a couple inquired as to what was going on and after learning it was a six-hour artistic experience, and there was unexpectedly extra room, they joined the group. Both expressed delight at the end of the show that they had decided to make the spontaneous decision to embark on this adventure as accidental tourists.
Through 9/22 (possible extension to 10/13): Sat-Sun 3 PM, beginning and ending at Ipsento 606, 1813 N. Milwaukee, theatre-y.com, F (reservation required).
