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African Folklore takes stage at Mum Puppettheatre September 25 – Ocotober 10, 2004

For Immediate Release: August 20, 2004

Philadelphia, PA – Join Mum Puppettheatre for a sidesplitting selection of famous folktales from Africa starring Anansi the spider, whose appetite always overrules his intellect. Anansi loves to eat and hates to work, so he tries to trick other animals out of their food. But there's no free lunch for Anansi, because all of his schemes leave him hungrier than ever! These hilarious stories are brought to life by the Crabgrass Puppet Theatre with a dynamic blend of traditional African design, infectious music and award-winning puppetry. This show is recommended for all ages. All tickets are $15. Performances are Saturdays at 12, 2, and 4pm and Sundays at 2pm and 4pm. For tickets, call 215-925-7686 or log onto www.mumpuppet.org.

Anansi is one of the classic trickster characters in world folklore. These comical African folktales are both entertaining and instructive; because he puts his own desires ahead of the needs of his community, Anansi often ends up exiled to the corner of the room. Like his trickster cousins, Brer Rabbit, Raven and Coyote, Anansi's schemes often backfire and leave him worse off than ever. But Anansi never stays down for long - his vitality and irrepressible sense of fun have kept him playing tricks for hundreds of years!

Jamie Keithline and Bonny Hall formed Crabgrass Puppet Theatre in San Francisco in 1982 and have delighted audiences across the nation with their whimsical humor and puppetry. Now residents of Halifax, Vermont, they continue to tour throughout the U.S., performing in schools, museums and theaters. Their performing venues have included the Detroit Institute of Art, the Smithsonian, Paper Mill Playhouse, Tribeca Performing Arts Center and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. In 2001, they were awarded a UNIMA-USA Citation of Excellence for Anansi, Spiderman of Africa.

Interested in becoming a Mum Puppettheatre subscriber? Choose from our Evening Series, Family Series and Preview Series ticket options. Subscription prices range from $20 to $60. All tickets may be purchased at our box office Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm, or by calling 215-925-7686. You can also order your tickets online at www.mumpuppet.org. And don't forget, Mum Puppettheatre gift certificates make unique presents for all ages!

Our Coffee and Conversation program continues into the 2004-2005 season on Wednesday evenings following the performance. Join us for refreshments provided by Whole Foods Market and scintillating discussions with some of the area's most vibrant professionals! Grab a cup of holiday cheer before Santa Claus Conquers the Fantccini on Egg-Nog Thursdays! Complete with carolers and eggnog, the fun begins at 6pm, December 2, 9, and 16th only!

High-res PR photos for Anansi are available for media download at www.mumpuppet.org/mumpix.

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