THE HANGOVER REPORT – Carlo Colla & Sons’ marionette adaptation of THE PIED PIPER is visually enchanting

show-262On Sunday, I caught Carlo Colla & Sons Marionette Company’s soulful adaptation of The Pied Piper at The New Victory Theater. Based in Milan (where they have their own theater!), the company is one of the most preeminent and recognized purveyors of puppet theater in the world. Their particular brand of puppet magic involves an army of exquisitely handcrafted marionettes (including a myriad of detailed wigs and costumes), countless hand-painted backdrops, and several surprising, clever visual touches that truly make the stories they’re telling come to brilliant life (they previously visited The New Victory with their productions of Sleeping Beauty in 2013 and Macbeth in 2007).

Although I found the overall endeavor of this Pied Piper to be enchanting and visually gorgeous, I have a few reservations with regards to the storytelling. Understanding that this is meant to be a family show, I nevertheless missed some of the darker elements of the underlying legend. For me, the overly optimistic ending is incongruous with the tragic outcome I strongly associate with the unsettling lore. Additionally, I found the English translation to be a bit awkward at times, but that’s to be expected from a troupe whose first language isn’t English. At the end of the day, however, these are minor quibbles. Carlo Colla & Sons’ vital craft alone is reason enough for celebration for the entire family.

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THE PIED PIPER
Off-Broadway, Play/Puppet theater
Carlo Colla & Sons Marionette Company at The New Victory Theater
1 hour, 30 minutes (with one intermission)
Through May 15

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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