Ziggurat Theatre Ensemble brings masks, puppets and comedy to Monson    

MONSON — Ziggurat Theatre Ensemble, Monson Arts and The Center Theatre, will present the FAFALO! outdoors behind Tenney House in Monson at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20, with rain dates on Sept. 26 and 27. Using colorful Balinese masks and huge, spectacular puppets, FAFALO! is a comic fantasy about what happens when a ludicrously unqualified buffoon is accidentally named king. Wacky, whimsical and ultimately uplifting, FAFALO! will delight adults and children.

“A janitor becomes king and thinks the job is going to be a piece of cake,” says Director Stephen Legawiec, “that is, until he has to solve a huge crisis that threatens the lives of the entire population. It’s the story of an ordinary person called upon to do extraordinary things.”

Fully masked throughout the play in custom-made Balinese masks, the ensemble of Maine-based actors – Hannah Daly, Andrew Elijah Edwards, Nolan Ellsworth, Emily Grotz, Dana Legawiec, Laura Maclean and Jared Mongeau – perform a broad and colorful range of characters. Masks were made by Balinese master craftsman Nyoman Setiawan. Spectacular oversized puppets were made by Maine puppet maker Libby Marcus.

Photo courtesy of Center Theatre
FAFALO! — Members of the Ziggurat Theatre Ensemble, from left, Dana Legawiec, Jared Mongeau, Nolan Ellsworth, Hannah Daly and Andrew Elijah Edwards perform FAFALO! The ensemble will bring the show to Monson at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20. The performance was made possible through a partnership between Monson Arts and the Center Theatre for the Performing Arts. Thanks to the support of local donors, tickets for the performance are only $5 per person.

“Mask is not part of the American popular theater tradition, and audiences rarely get to see fully masked productions by local companies,” says Movement Director Dana Legawiec. “Actors recruit their entire bodies from fingers to toes 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.”

The production is suitable for children. Thanks to local donors and supporters, admission for the performance will only be $5 per person compared to the usual $20 ticket fee. As this is an outside performance feel free to bring blankets or camp chairs.

FAFALO! was rehearsed entirely outdoors in accordance with public safety protocols. This performance fully complies with all guidelines as set down by the State of Maine for outdoor performances. Audiences will be limited to 100 attendees and must sit in predetermined, physically-distanced seating areas. Audiences will also be required to comply with protocols including methods of entrance and egress, maintaining social distance and wearing masks when not seated. Because of the limited seating advance tickets are highly recommended, but tickets will be for sale at the door if available. There will be no rain venue for this show. It plays outdoors only. In the case of rain tickets will be honored at the next available rain date.

To purchase tickets in advance and for more information visit www.CenterTheatre.org or call the Center Theatre at 207-564-8943.