'Fafalo,' a Myth-Based Comic Fantasy, Premieres with Ziggurat

Ziggurat Theatre Ensemble world premieres Fafalo, an original, myth-based comic fantasy, directed and written by Stephen Legawiec; to open on Friday, March 14 with performances continuing through April 13 at the Miles Memorial Playhouse in Santa Monica.

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

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.

Fafalo is written and directed by Stephen Legawiec; Masks are by Nyoman Setiawan; Set and Puppets are by Stephen Legawiec; Lighting Design is by Brandon Baruch; Costume Design is by Suzanne Scott; Puppet Consultant is Bob Beuth; Mask and Movement Coach is Dana Wieluns; and the Stage Manager is Krista Schoenbaum.

Performances of Fafalo are 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 www.ziggurattheatre.org