ongoing - Sun. Aug. 2

Aurelia Thierree Chaplin is Charlie Chaplin's grand-daughter and after seeing her not-quite one-woman show at the American Repertory Theatre's Loeb Drama Center, you'll at least give some thought to genetic theories. There's whimsy, there's some eerie stuff, some comedy, some magic, some contortionist moves, some graceful acrobatics ... and very few words. It's a 70-minute variety show called "Aurelia's Oratorio." To begin with Aurelia, emerges bit by bit from a set of drawers - hands, feet, head popping up (from improbable angles) and eventually emerging in full. Soon, she is caught up in the rich red draperies that frame the stage. These are no ordinary draperies, and in fact, a rather ominous character in this production. They envelop her, yes, but they also come crashing down - everyone in the audience no doubt referencing Metallica's "crashing stage set" on the "... And Justice For All" tour. We're kidding - we did reference that, but we're guessing the A.R.T.'s audience is, for the most part, not Metallica's. But there was that similar illusion of peril, the quick-shock of "something's gone wrong!" only to realize, it's part of the show.

There are many parts to "Aurelia's Oratorio," including dances and various tricks with partner Jaime Martinez. Also, one more rock reference: Thierree toured for a long time with the theatrical cabaret Brit band, the Tiger Lillies. This show, directed by her mother, Victoria Thierree Chaplin, came about during that period. It ook a year to develop. Aurelia has said that it was inspired "by a book of medieval drawings of the world where everything was upside down." And, indeed, during this show, she does create a skewed universe - using costumes, props, staging and lighting - to create a mysterious, non-linear world. The short set pieces sometimes seem connected, other times not at all. There is that psychedelic feeling about it, aided by music that is at times Eno-esque ambient and at others colored by gypsy music. One of the best parts comes at the end. We've heard a train whistle at various points throughout the show. At the close, a toy train set is set up on a table and circles around. Aurelia approaches it, straddles it and a square open space is created from her body, allowing the train to repeatedly go through her stomach area. Obviously, it's an illusion, but it's brilliantly pulled off. Leaves you a bit dazzled, a bit puzzled. It's all sort of like a waking dream - parts charming, parts a bit ominous, parts smile-inducing. Nothing explained. Everything up for interpretation. The show's up through Sunday Aug. 2. Check website below for showtimes. Tickets: $75-$22.

64 Brattle St., 617-496-2000 www.amrep.org