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85 | DOING BUSINESS IN CONNECTICUT | 2018 2018 | DOING BUSINESS IN CONNECTICUT | 85 "A Billion Nights on Earth," set for on June 14-16 at University Theatre, takes viewers on a remarkable adventure in which a father and son travel the world through a portal in their kitchen. Puppetry and Kabuki stagecraft animate size-enhanced penguins, astronauts, and other characters before the audience's eyes. The Yale International Choral Fest on June 13-16 combines choirs from Switzerland, Germany, Sri Lanka and Mexico with American companies to celebrate the universal language of music. It will also highlight the variety of choral traditions around the world. "This year, we spent a lot of time looking towards artists (and thinkers for our ideas program) that help us answer what it means to be a citizen," explained Herzog. "And I'm not talking about what government-issued I.D. card one may carry, but really, how we are all citizens in the world in which we live – may it be our neighborhood, our workplace, our city, or whatever." "Requiem for an Electric Chair," scheduled for June 22-23 at the Iseman Theater, exemplifies this thought-provoking genre with a story about a man from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Toto Kisaku, who came within seconds of being executed for questioning the practice of child exploitation, found political asylum in the U.S. This, his newest theatre piece, recounts his harrowing story. A new and unique production of "The Merchant of Venice" will be performed June 19-23 in the Yale Law School Courtyard, with a cast of five multi-ethnic actors who will explore Shylock's complex humanity as a father and merchant, villain and victim. Kaki King, considered by Rolling Stone magazine to be one of the greatest guitar players of her generation, combines both her storytelling and musical prowess in "The Neck is A Bridge to the Body" at Morse Recital Hall on June 20. "We are always working on three festivals at a time," said Herzog, noting that current planning stretches out to 2020. "It is a multi- disciplinary festival, so we are looking for the best artists from around the world that will resonate and touch our community – that being New Haven, our region, and afar." He said it is very important for the festival's organizers to remain relevant beyond its June festival month. "Throughout the year, we have been able to continue our ideas program; occasionally we have presented ticketed performances, but what we are most proud of is our commitment to our community." This includes partnering with other organizations like the National Endowment for the Art's Big Read, a High School Fellowship program, the daily international music listening program Global Sounds, and the ever-popular neighborhood festivals. "We are excited to share the Festival of Arts & Ideas this year," said Herzog, one of three co-directors of the event. As always, its goal is to "bring people together in one place to increase international understanding, social cohesion and celebrate diversity." The International Festival of Arts & Ideas in New Haven brings Toto Kisaku to the stage at the Iseman Theater June 22-23 to tell his story about repression in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the presentation "Requiem for an Electric Chair." The Yale International Choral Fest will combine choirs from Switzerland, Germany, Sri Lanka, Mexico and the U.S. TOURISM, ARTS & CULTURE