Fafalo, an original, myth-based comic fantasy. March 14, 2008

Ziggurat Theatre Ensemble creates a vibrant, topsy-turvy world that's as astonishing as it is hilarious with the world premiere of "Fafalo," an original, myth-based comic fantasy.

Using colorful Balinese masks and huge, spectacular puppets to conjure up the excitement and comedy of the circus, "c" is a fairy tale for adults about a most unlikely candidate who is crowned king in the mythical kingdom of Galliandra.

"I've always been intrigued by the idea of fulfilling one's destiny," says director and playwright Stephen Legawiec. "Ordinary people put to the test are capable of extraordinary things."

Fully masked throughout the play, six ensemble members - John Achorn, Julia Emelin, Anna Heinl, Li-Ann Lim, Jon Monastero and David Valdez - perform 18 roles in "Fafalo". Custom-made masks have been commissioned from Bali, from master mask-maker Nyoman Setiawan.

"Mask is not part of the American popular theater tradition, and audiences rarely get to see fully masked productions by local companies," comments Ziggurat mask and movement coach Dana Wieluns. "Mask work is physically and creatively demanding for actors because actors must use their entire bodies to make the mask come alive. All of the characters' thoughts and desires must be crafted into specific physical choices and communicated through the mask - relying on the text to tell the story is not enough."

Nyoman Setiawan lives in a village that is home to Sanggar Tari Topeng Regeg, a famous dance troupe that performs traditional dances for religious ceremonies around Bali. He began learning to carve masks at age 15 under the guidance of his father, a master mask-maker who was then 65 years old. Nyoman creates more than 100 kinds of masks using pule wood and goatskin, mainly for sacred religious purposes but also for popular use.

Ziggurat Theatre Company has been L.A.'s critically-acclaimed myth-based ensemble for over a decade, presenting plays that explore world myths, cultures and rituals using dance, drama, music, masks and movement. The ziggurat is the Babylonian step pyramid that connects the earth with heaven. The company chose the name because "theater allows us to step into the world of the gods - or invites them to step into ours." The Los Angeles Times wrote, "Ziggurat Theatre has garnered well-deserved acclaim for its evocative weaving of disparate elements into rich, expertly-staged explorations of the human psyche."

Performances of "Fafalo" take place Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 3 pm, March 14 through April 13. Tickets are $20.00; Students and Seniors are $15.00; the performance on Sunday, March 16 at 3 pm is Pay-What-You-Can.

The Miles Memorial Playhouse is located at 1130 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA. 90403, a half block north of Wilshire in Christine Emerson Reed Park. There is free parking in the structure at 808 Wilshire Blvd. .
For reservations and information, call (310) 842-5737 or go to http://www.ziggurattheatre.org

Official Website: http://www.ziggurattheatre.org