Baby Universe: A Puppet Odyssey, by the group Wakka Wakka & Nordland Visual Theater, written and directed by Kir Jan Waage and Gwendolyn Warnock, with puppets by Waage and costumes and masks by Warnock, is an amazing picturization of the creation of a universe (after our Sun has died) by rod and hand puppets from tiny to larger than life size. The subtlety of the movements by the five puppeteers, who wear dark body suits with gasmasks, giving them an ape-like suggestion, is extraordinary as the phantasmagorical surroundings segue from action to action as the baby grows. The writing is clever and original, and the vocal acting by the superb cast is on a par with their puppetry. It is the most original and engaging puppet show I've ever seen- work of this caliber is rare (except for some of Basil Twist's work).
The coordination of all elements: writing, acting (Waage, Warnock, Melissa Creighton, Andrew Manjuck, Peter Russo), lighting (Kate Leahy), set Wakka Wakka and Joy Wang), sound design (Brett Jarvis), and music (Lars Petter Hagen) is amazing as the baby universe is born and grows in size and consciousness. It is brilliant work in all departments.
I would say that Baby Universe is not for children under fourteen, but it is a rare, exciting, vivid experience for the rest of us. At the Baruch Performing Arts Center through January 9, 2011.
