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Mum Puppettheatre Announces 2005-2006 Evening Series
For Immediate Release: August 2, 2005
Philadelphia, PA – Mum Puppettheatre, one of the leading theatre companies in Philadelphia, has announced its season lineup for 2005-2006. The season includes a three-show Evening Series of productions for adults, as well as a Family Series consisting of four productions suitable for all ages.
The Evening Series will include the following productions:
Measuring Man
A co-presentation with the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival
September 6 – October 1, 2005
Created by Robert Smythe and Daniel Stein, with Fred Curchack
Performed by Robert Smythe and Daniel Stein
Where do art and science intersect? Renowned award-winning artists Robert Smythe and Daniel Stein playfully investigate the writings of the ultimate master of science and art to find the answer. Funny, touching, and more intriguing than "The DaVinci Code," Measuring Man explores Leonardo's musings, artworks, inventions and his very mind with a dazzling combination of puppetry, dance, stand-up comedy, and compelling physicality.
"[Smythe and Stein's] evident delight in working together seems to parallel da Vinci's delight in his own inventiveness…[they bring a] childlike wonder…to their investigation of da Vinci's genius. – J. Wynn Rousuck, The Baltimore Sun
The Lady in the Van – American premiere!
February 21 – March 18, 2006
Written by Alan Bennett
Directed by Robert Smythe
When a decrepit van grinds to a halt outside the house of one of England's best-known playwrights, he never suspects that the vehicle's next parking place will be his own driveway, where its foul-smelling occupant will remain for the next fifteen years in a series of unfortunate immobile homes. A trained concert pianist, former nun and would-be Prime Minister of England, Miss Shepherd is also described by the playwright as a "bigoted, blinkered, cantankerous, devious, unforgiving, self-centered, rank, rude, car-mad cow." Based on Alan Bennett's real-life experiences with the genuinely eccentric Miss Shepherd, The Lady in the Van takes a dryly humorous look at the creation of art – and the way artists lie as they create.
"This is, without doubt, the best new play of the year." The Daily Telegraph
"One of the finest bursts of comic writing the twentieth century has produced." The Village Voice
The Wizard of Oz
May 23 – June 24, 2006
Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg
Based on the book by L. Frank Baum
Directed by Robert Smythe
This spring, Philadelphians won't need to look any further than their own backyard for a groundbreaking musical guaranteed to captivate audiences with the power of theatre as only Mum could envision it. Simultaneously nostalgic and inventive, Mum's new take on this great American classic will have audiences spellbound.
Featuring the music and dialogue of the celebrated 1939 film, Dorothy's amazing journey to the land of Oz will be seen like never before. Pairing Mum's award-winning aesthetic with this favorite American musical, and featuring favorite Philadelphia performers, live music and thrilling special effects, audiences will experience Mum's sophisticated take on this unforgettable classic like never before.
Performances generally take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays at 8pm and Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm. Single tickets cost $1 to $6 for preview performances (which take place prior to Opening Night for the press), and $25 for all other performances.
Subscriptions to all three shows cost $60 per person, and include many exclusive benefits, such as special rates on Mum's workshops and classes, discounts to area businesses and restaurants, and more. Subscriptions can be purchased Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm, by calling 215-925-7MUM; or by logging on to www.mumpuppet.org. Preview subscriptions are also available at 30% discount off the regular subscription price.
As part of the Evening Series, Mum presents Coffee & Conversation nights once a week during the run of each show. Generously sponsored by Whole Foods Market and complete with complementary coffee and refreshments, these moderated post-show discussions feature guest speakers, cast members and Artistic Director Robert Smythe. Intriguing questions and lively discussions allow audience members to delve deep into the world of each production. Coffee & Conversation generally takes place after each Wednesday evening performance; during the run of Measuring Man, Coffee & Conversation will take place on Thursday September 19th and Thursday September 29th.
Mum Puppettheatre makes art that moves, creating theatre beyond the scope of human actors, often without words. We integrate the plastic, visual and performing arts by creating stunning, emotionally compelling and breathtakingly beautiful theatre, using puppets, masks and the human body. Our mission is to collaborate with artists of all disciplines and backgrounds to explore the interdisciplinary nature of puppetry, and share the results with people of all ages, independent of language or culture, on stage, on tour and in the classroom.
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