Professor Henslow, a famous scientist who has magical powers, is alone in his workshop, putting together his latest creation, Darwin. After some difficulties, a few minor adjustments and a wave of his magic wand, Darwin is brought to life.
Darwin is a wild and primitive creature. He is a dinosaur and, although Professor Henslow teaches him to walk, Darwin’s animal instincts eventually take over as he succumbs to his predatory nature.
Realizing that he is suddenly in danger, Professor Henslow cleverly responds by making a heart and bravely placing it in Darwin’s chest. The beast is immediately transformed into a loving creature and a lasting bond is created between the two.
Some time later Professor Henslow and Darwin are enjoying the beautiful outdoors when Darwin becomes distracted by some fireflies and wanders off. Professor Henslow and Darwin are each sad as they cannot find one another but Darwin soon makes a friend in Verla, the gangly ostrich, who teaches him to dance. Before long he meets a great many creatures; Peche, the beautiful blue fish, and Brutus, the menacing red dinosaur, to name a few. Darwin learns something new about himself and the world around him from each experience with every creature he meets.
In the end, when Brutus threatens Professor Henslow, Darwin is forced to make a decision that will alter his life forever and, ultimately, lead him to discover the true meaning of love.
The Creation
Creators Ian Carney and Corbin Popp met while dancing in Twyla Tharp’s Broadway show Movin’ Out. An immediate connection was made as they discovered their mutual love of art, theater and technology. After coming across a product called EL wire, the lights turned on. “EL wire” is short for electroluminescent wire: Unlike black lights, the technology can be powered by batteries and requires no theatrical lighting. The possibilities seemed endless. Together with their wives Eleanor and Whitney they began to develop puppetry based creatures that quickly gained personality.
Relocating from New York to Ian and Eleanor’s hometown, New Orleans, they continued the creative process. It was there, in the Katrina ravaged city, that the show began to take shape. The result, after years of engineering and development, is Darwin the Dinosaur. Truly unique and visually dazzling, Darwin is an innovative theatrical experience. Electroluminescent creatures light up the darkened stage in the heart-rending tale of a dinosaur who discovers the true meaning of love. Originally created in partnership with The Detroit Music Hall, Darwin has performed all over the Americas and Europe for enthusiastic audiences of all ages.
