by Jason Booker
A re-envisioning of a classic tale, this family-friendly play is a joy to watch. The children in the audience are entertained by the sharp and comic characters and the strong pacing while the adults laugh at the charm and great timing of the actors telling the story, especially Mark Huisman’s Policeman with his nightstick and walk. Pierrot is the story of a lonely, broke, young clown who, after meeting a distressed young woman, discovers a necklace with a moon charm that leads him to magically dance with the orb. This production looks beautiful; a full set, including a garbage can, park bench and a puppet theatre, fills the stage. The show opens with a beautifully painted Paris skyline backdrop in the puppet theatre, illuminated by a travelling sun and moon and for the shadow puppet imagery. Next, squeaks come from the garbage before the most adorable rat puppet ever seen emerges. Louis, le Rat (manipulated by Ben Deutsch) moves about the stage realistically, stealing the show before it gets underway. But soon the lead, Pierrot, played by Enzo Voci, enters to gives the rat a run for his money. Voci is spot-on as the Italian fop, damn near brilliant with his exaggerated expressions and impressions in his slicked hair and linen suit – although he could use a belt. The show features dialogue in both French and Italian, but does not rely on the audience’s understanding of these languages since much of the story relies instead on the physicality of the cast and the classical music that underscores the action. Even when responding to accidents like a falling-off moustache or a sound glitch that jeopardizes a poetic waltz with the lady in the moon mask, these clever and competent performers make for an enchanting show for everyone.
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