WINGS of Ikarus Jackson By the Book The performance of The Wings of Ikarus Jackson was inspired by the book Wings, written and illustrated by Christopher Myers (whose illustrations for the book appear throughout this Cuesheet). If you are familiar with the book, you’ll recognize the story, but you’ll also notice that it has been expanded to be told on stage. And if you don’t know the book, don’t worry, because the performance tells you everything you need to know.
Mythic Proportions Ikarus is not the first boy with magical white wings. The people of ancient Greece had a myth (stories with fantastical beings and often hard lessons) about a boy also named Icarus (spelled with a “c”). In the myth, Icarus’s father created wings made of feathers and wax so father and son could escape imprisonment. As they soared to freedom, Icarus failed to heed his father’s warning about flying too close to the sun. The sun’s heat melted the wax holding his wings together, and he fell into the sea. After the performance, discuss with friends or family the similarities and differences between the performance and the myth.
What’s the Big Idea? The play explores some big ideas, or themes. They include being your true self (even if it includes a pair of wings!), accepting and appreciating differences among people, and overcoming fears. During the performance, watch for these themes. Think about: What are your “wings”? What makes you unique? After the performance, discuss your ideas with friends or family.
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