White Elephant April 24, 2009

From Lake Simons and John Dyer come a new puppet theater piece – WHITE ELEPHANT. Inspired by the true story of an unwanted, white, weathered wicker elephant whose owner tosses it onto a roaring bonfire one chilly fall night, WHITE ELEPHANT is brought to life through puppetry, movement, mask, super 8 film and live music. It features a series of poetic vignettes about animals, people and objects transforming from one plane to another.

After the wicker elephant is thrown onto the bonfire, its tightly woven pieces prove durable; glowing, intertwined embers become white fragile strings. The elephant, now as light as a feather, rises up and hovers over the fire. A sudden drop destroys its beautiful shape as well as the complex system of threads that held it together, completing the transformation from object to ash/ghost. Thus begins the journey of White Elephant, a meditation on transition, memory and release.

Simons and Dyer's previous shows have been hailed “very edgy indeed” by Time Out New York and “splendid...refreshing” by the Village Voice.

Performers: four puppeteers/physical storytellers: Lake Simons, Erin Orr, Luis Tentindo and Yoko Myoi alongside musician John Dyer.

Tickets: $15; $10 for students & seniors at http://www.lamama.org

Performances
April 24, 25 at 10pm
April 26 at 5:30 pm
May 1, 2 at 10 pm
May 3 at 5:30 pm

La MaMa e.t.c.
74A East 4th Street
between Bowery & 2nd Ave.
Subway: F to 2nd Ave.

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