Just in time for Halloween, Chicago’s historic Fine Arts Building and Studebaker Theater present a unique collaboration: Manual Cinema’s Frankenstein, running for four performances only, October 25–27, 2024.

This thrilling adaptation of the classic Gothic tale by Chicago’s own Manual Cinema fuses shadow puppetry, cinematic techniques, and live sound and music to bring Frankenstein’s haunting story to life like never before. The production seamlessly blends the legendary story of Frankenstein with the biography of its creator, Mary Shelley, exploring the eerie beauty and terror of creation itself.

This production marks the first co-production between the Fine Arts Building, the Studebaker Theater, and an external partner. Later this year, the venue will also host Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol.

Founded in 2010, Manual Cinema is an Emmy Award-winning performance collective, design studio, and film production company known for pushing the boundaries of storytelling. Using vintage overhead projectors, puppetry, live-feed cameras, multi-channel sound, and a live music ensemble, Manual Cinema reinvents the cinematic experience with a distinct theatrical flair, creating a show that’s immersive, inventive, and unforgettable.

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