MUMMENSCHANZ


Diane heard about Mummenschanz, the experimental Swiss mime group, on NPR. And, coincidentally, they were scheduled to perform at the SUNY at Buffalo Center for the Arts. So I bought tickets. I’m not a big mime guy, but Memmenschanz is unique. Plenty of wit, humor, and athletic skill go into their routines. The audience was full of kids who loved the wacky skits. If you’re looking for an over-the-top performance, check out Memmenschanz if they show up in your neighborhood. Check out the video from The Muppet Show below.

23 thoughts on “MUMMENSCHANZ

    1. george Post author

      Deb, you’re right! No football until next week’s Super Bowl. Do you have a favorite? I’m going with the Ravens and the points.

      Reply
  1. Patti Abbott

    I thought I would love BLUE MAN GROUP and CIRQUE DU SOLEIL but didn’t. I think this would fall into that category for me. If it isn’t really magic, I feel duped. I know that sounds crazy but ….

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      MUMMENSCHANZ is totally different from BLUE MAN GROUP and CIRQUE DE SOLEIL, Patti. Incredible athleticism and humor highlight their skits. The children in the audience loved it!

      Reply
  2. Richard R.

    I’m not a mine guy and have no interest, and when I got to the word “wacky” (never a good sign in a review, I think) I was sure this was not for me. I hope the Niners win, but may not even bother watching it this year. much more hoopla than sort in the event. Barbara will probably watch just for the commercials and halftime show…

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      I actually ask my MARKETING students to watch the Super Bowl for the commercials, Rick. The USA TODAY on the day follow the Super Bowl ranks the commercials so that always generates plenty of class discussion.

      Reply
  3. Cap'n Bob

    Johnny Carson liked Mummenschanz and had them on his show several times. They bored me.

    I want the 49er’s to win and I usually skip the commrcials and half time show.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Most people seem to favor the Niners, Bob. I’m sure Ray Lewis has something to do with the disdain some people feel toward the Ravens.

      Reply
  4. Jeff Meyerson

    We’ve seen Cirque du Soleil – I’d recommend “Love” which makes excellent use of Beatles’ music. The other was supposed to be the “sexy” one (Zumanity) but we were not thrilled. It was OK.

    Reply
  5. Todd Mason

    I must admit, I’m surprised that M were new to you…but in the Boston area, they had a strong recurring audience, and so were advertised heavily from the late ’60s onward (I’ve never attended a performance, but saw them on television, perhaps on THE TONIGHT SHOW as the Captain notes, and probably on WGBH or otherwise on PBS or even, as above, on THE MUPPET SHOW). SECOND CITY TV had a brief but telling parody of them. And I’ll back you up, George…far wittier and less leadenly whimsical than Cirque dS or the Blue guys.

    As an official disliker of football, I’m also amused by the lack of love for the Pro Bowl.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Stuff just slips by my radar, Todd. Like MUMMENSCHNZ. But I’m glad we caught their performance at SUNY at Buffalo. That 62-35 score in the Pro Bowl says it all, Todd.

      Reply
  6. Todd Mason

    Actually, I think I have to retract that…I think I did go, with my Boston ‘burb (West Peabody) elementary school class, to see Mummenschanz in performance once ca. 1972…wow…how thinks slowly rise through the murk of memory!

    Reply
  7. Carl V.

    I heard that same show on NPR and it was great. I remember seeing them on the Muppet Show when I was kid and liked them a lot. Fascinating piece on NPR.

    Reply
  8. Carl V.

    I would too if I could. Great stuff! There just isn’t enough time. I need to do a better job of scheduling time to get online to listen to This American Life every week. One of my favorites.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      My wife has been retired from teaching for 9 years, Carl. She discovered NPR early in her retirement and has been a loyal listener ever since.

      Reply

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