The show will feature some of the most popular sketches created and performed by the internationally renowned troupe, as well as brilliant new creations. MUMMENSCHANZ conjures a magical world, full of possibilities, without uttering a word. The troupe’s playful and memorable exploits display an enormously inventive use of forms, shadow and light as well as creative manipulation of sculptural, expressive masks and abstract shapes. The result is a visually stunning spectacle of entertainment that is suitable for the entire family to enjoy. MUMMENSCHANZ offers timeless insight on the human condition. The result transcends cultural barriers and sparks the imagination. The entire program of sculptural puppetry and visual antics is performed without music or sound.

“The ‘stories’ we tell are unique in that they have no sound or music and we hope that our show will awaken the little child in everyone.” – co-founder and performer Floriana Frassetto.

The sounds of silence are beautiful in a spectacular new show by the playful team of Swiss puppeteers known as Mummenschanz. The wordless You & Me was created by Mummenschanz co-founder and Artistic Director Floriana Frassetto and features a strong ensemble (who are nearly always invisible to the audience) including Christa Barrett, Kevin Blaser, Sara Francesca Hermann, and Oliver Pfulg. Playing at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College, Mummenschanz will delight audiences of all ages. Using a wide array of materials in various shapes, sizes, and colors, the troupe uses clever movement and lighting to create poetic images that “tell a story” in short vignettes, all without uttering a word. The “puppets” are often simple shapes that a performer gets behind or inside and manipulates to move in a certain way or to look like something else–sometimes it’s a face or figure, sometimes it’s an animal, and sometimes it’s just a huge amorphous blob that moves in the simplest way to create something recognizable. These shape-shifting figures are visually unique and can range from funny to sad to poignant all with the smallest movements. They are even sometimes interactive. The p …Read more