'Puppetmaster of Lodz' Begins Blue Heron Season, Nov.30
By: BWW News Desk Nov. 06, 2007
Blue Heron Theatre will open its 20th season this fall in a co-production with Mirth A Theatre Company of Gilles Segal's movingly powerful post World War II drama, The Puppetmaster of Lodz, translated by Sara O'Connor, and directed by Bruce Levitt.
The show will feature 22 puppets designed by New York puppet artist Ralph Lee (including two life-size ones). The Puppetmaster of Lodz will begin performances at The ArcLight (152 West 71st Street, between B'way and Columbus) on Friday, November 30 and will officially open on Monday, December 3 at 8PM. Performances will run through December 23.
"The Puppetmaster of Lodz set in Berlin in 1950, is both a mystery story and a portrait of a noble man. Samuel Finkelbaum (Robert Zukerman) is a master puppeteer who has locked himself in an attic apartment and has remained there ever since his escape from a concentration camp. He is patiently awaiting the end of World War II, and nothing his landlady tells him will convince him that it's safe to come out. Inside this retreat, he creates a fantasy world with his puppets-and so unfolds an unforgettable tale of love and creativity," explain press notes.
Robert Zukerman as Samuel Finkelbaum will head the Blue Heron cast. Joining him will be Daniel Damiano (as Weissman and others), Suzanne Toren (as the Concierge), and Herbert Rubens (as Schwartzkoff).
The set design will be by Roman Tatarowicz, the costume design by Elizabeth Flauto, the lighting design by Paul Bartlett, and sound design by Chuck Hatcher. The stage manager will be Sarah Ford.
The complete schedule for The Puppetmaster of Lodz (November 30 through December 23) will be: Wednesdays through Saturdays and Mondays at 8PM with Sunday matinees at 3PM. There will be no performance on Wednesday, December 5.
Tickets are $20. Students, seniors, and groups of 10 or more are $15. TDF vouchers accepted. Tickets for all performances are available at 212-868-4444 (or online at www.smarttix.com).
Photo: Puppets created by Ralph Lee
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