Photo Flash: Ennio, the Original Origami Sensation, at Berkeley Rep

This year, Berkeley Repertory Theatre unwraps a special show for the holidays by giving local families the gift of Ennio. The international origami sensation returns for a limited engagement of only 14 performances from December 20 to December 31 - including a special matinee on Christmas Eve and a 9:00 PM performance on New Year's Eve featuring free champagne (or milk and cookies). Direct from London's Royal Festival Hall, it's a holiday show that features all new seasonal characters created with Ennio's usual outrageous charm. So reserve seats now for this uproarious tour de force, written and performed by Ennio Marchetto and directed by Sosthen Hennekam. Berkeley Rep presents Ennio in association with Glynis Henderson Productions and Jonathan Reinis Productions.

Known as the "one-man cartoon factory" and "the human paper-doll," Ennio turns the art of origami into theatrical magic. Don't miss the original quick-change artist as he races through 50 costumes in only 70 minutes, lampooning politicians, celebrities, and historical figures in a presentation that's part commedia dell'arte, part Disney, and all fun. Accompanied by non-stop music, he creates caricatures of pop-culture icons ranging from Marilyn Monroe to Marilyn Manson, stopping along the way to see Whitney Houston, Wonder Woman, and more. Plus, at this special edition of his show, Ennio becomes a snowman, a Christmas tree, and other holiday icons.

A worldwide hit, Ennio receives raves wherever he goes... "An absolute hoot," exclaims the New York Times. "A sustained hour of heaven from an entertainer touched by genius... This is performance at its crazy, creative, unfettered best," Time Out London proclaims, while the Los Angeles Times asserts, "Watching Ennio transform himself into a gallery of celebrities, objects, and historical icons is like being transported to an alternate reality where all things are possible." Variety reports that Ennio "has the audience rolling in the aisles" - and the Village Voice sums it up best by saying simply, "Run to see it!"

Ennio Marchetto is a world-renowned, award-winning comedian who has created his own theatrical language which mixes mime, dance, music, and costumes created from cardboard and paper. A native of Venice, he worked in the family business repairing espresso machines until the annual Carnivale inspired him to explore his talent for inventing outfits and masks. His hit show debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and has toured the globe for the past 18 years. Ennio has performed in over 70 countries on six continents, entertaining more than a million people. His repertoire now includes more than 300 characters, from Madonna and the Mona Lisa to Fidel Castro and Snow White. He comes to California after an autumn tour of Greece, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Don't miss Ennio at Berkeley Rep! The Roda Theatre is located at 2015 Addison Street, near bus lines, bike routes, and parking lots - and only half a block from BART. Tickets for Ennio start at only $20 and are on sale now. All seats are half-price for those under 18 years of age, and discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 510.647.2949 or 888.4.BRT.Tix (toll-free) - or simply click berkeleyrep.org.