#79: Mummenschanz and the human experience with Heidi Rugg

Is it mime? Is it puppetry? Is it augmented sketch comedy? Rather than try to categorize "Mummenschanz," it seems best to just wonder at the inventiveness and enjoy the fun of the experience. That was certainly what people were doing in the 1970s and for many decades afterwards.

"Mummenschanz" holds the record for longest running special on Broadway. Scheduled for a limited engagement after a successful national tour, the troupe proved too popular to shut down, drawing crowds for over 3 years. The brainchild of 3 performers, they ultimately had to hire additional members, sending them back out on the road while they continued on in NYC.

My guest, Heidi Rugg, knows a lot about this kind of performance, having founded the Barefoot Puppet Theater and also having seen "Mummenschanz" during one of their tours. Beyond just talking about this very special special, she namechecks Julie Taymor who elevated puppetry to new heights with "The Lion King" and introduces me (and you I expect) to Center For Puppetry Arts in Atlanta.

Most of all, you gotta check out the clips at my website, ChasingPhantom.net - you can't really appreciate "Mummenschanz" without seeing it!