“Worldwide Origami Phenomenon” — that’s how he’s billed. But popular Venetian clown Ennio Marchetto is also known as the “human paper doll,” a title that more or less defines the one-man performance shtick he has trotted around the globe in “ENNIO,” earning Olivier and Drama Desk Award nominations for his papery panache.
In 70 exhausting minutes, Marchetto prances around the stage spoofing a boatload of pop-culture icons in an eclectic mix of mostly American singers with the kind of campy lip-synching fodder covered by any dragstress worth her wig stick. But the gimmick here is that all of Marchetto’s outrageous costumes are made from paper, and unfold in a variety of unusual and unpredictable ways. From Doris Day to Dolly Parton and even Donkey (from “Shrek”), Marchetto marches out one absurd character after another, in a parade of paper cutouts that fall wayside in large, cluttered heaps. In short, it’s a paper doll’s makeover dream.
» The Highlights
No one is safe from Marchetto’s tongue-in-cheek tributes, a one-dimensional spectacle of everyone from Britney Spears to Jesus, Jim Morrison, Marilyn Monroe, the Mona Lisa, Madonna (with newly adopted baby in tow), Stevie Wonder and Vincent Van Gogh, who lops off his ear to the tune of Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy.” Even ET gets in on the action to “phone home.” But perhaps the most amazing transformation is a metamorphosis from Eminem’s alter ego “Slim Shady” to the glittery disco beats of Gloria Gaynor belting out “I Will Survive.”
» The Lowlights
If the idea of watching a man dressed in a tight black unitard change costumes every few minutes while impersonating a host of cheesy American icons doesn’t exactly appeal to your better judgment, then perhaps this evening of entertainment ain’t your gig.
» The Cast
According to his program bio, Marchetto’s show was “inspired by a daydream he had while dismantling espresso machines.” The idea proved a little more successful than your average novelty work after its 1990 debut at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Credited with the original concept of the piece, Marchetto co-designs and co-directs “ENNIO” alongside his artistic partner, Sosthen Hennekam, who is also responsible for the lighting and sound design.
» Munch on This
Only an Italian clown would take on so many beloved American icons, from Elvis and Eminem to Britney and Whitney with such unabashed glee. And the evening is not without its fair share of social commentary (consider the Boy George public service segment, or the strange way Kylie Minogue morphs into a turkey). Still, “ENNIO” offers a fun evening of silly, surreal balderdash with a flair for flexible fashion.
‘ENNIO’
Featuring Ennio Marchetto
Co-directed by Sosthen Hennekam
Through Sunday
» Venue: Arena Stage, Fichandler Theater, 1101 Sixth St., SW, Washington
» Tickets: $38
» Performances: 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; 3 and 6 p.m. Sunday
» Info: 202-488-3300,
www.arenastage.org
