 |
| QUICK-CHANGE ARTIST: (left to right) Ennio Marchetto channels Elvis, Eminem, Marilyn Monroe & Mary Poppins. Photo: Ghmp.co.uk |
|
|
Theater
Review
ENNIO: The Living Paper Cartoon
is seamless, hilarious send-up of pop culture
|
ENNIO: The Living Paper Cartoon
Original concept conceived & performed by Ennio Marchetto
Lighting & sound design by Sosthen Hennekam
October 3rd at 8pm; October 9th at 1pm & 4:30 pm; October 12th at 8pm
Through October 12, 2011
47th Street Theatre
304 West 47th Street
(212-239-6200), http://www.nymf.org
Click here to download the review
|
By David NouNou
Sitting through Ennio Marchetto – The Living Paper Cartoon has got to be one of the most unique, original and enjoyable theatrical experiences New Yorkers will get a chance to enjoy this season or any other. Unfortunately, it has only nine performances during the New York Musical Theatre Festival at the 47th Street Theatre. One can only hope that it will be extended or play in another venue, for this is truly a work of art and imagination.
Although Ennio Marchetto is the performer in this act, and also the director, original concept and costume designer, hailing from Italy, he is not the only person that has to be mentioned and commended in this venture. The other person responsible for being the director, costume, lighting and sound designer is Sosthen Hennekam from the Netherlands. The two have combined their talents to form an hour of hilarious entertainment and mirth that will not be forgotten anytime too soon.
Although having played in Europe, South America, San Francisco and L.A., this is the first time the act is being performed on the New York stage in more than a decade. The act consists of Mr. Marchetto impersonating a myriad of celebrities in paper costumes and lip-synching the songs associated with them. What makes this act so special is the way the celebrity, song, and costume are fused together, all done with split-second timing. In one instant, you can be watching booty-shaking Beyonce, singing “All the Single Ladies” simultaneously with Kanye West doing a rap song; Kylie Minogue belting out her infectious dance-pop classic “Can’t Get You Out of My Head,” literally bursting out of the sexy dress from the music video, then transforming into the demure Singing Nun, singing “Dominique”; Queen Elizabeth II morphing into Queen's Freddy Mercury, singing “We Are the Champions,” along with Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber, and countless other recognizable celebrities. Part of the fun is seeing who is going to pop up next. All this is done with paper costumes that change and morph right before our eyes.
The act is just long enough to leave us wanting more. It is imbued with originality, razor-sharp quick change timing, and sheer, unadulterated fun. My hope is that it gets extended so that more New Yorkers will have a chance to see this novel, extraordinary show.
Published October 3, 2011
Reviewed at performance on October 1, 2011
|
|
