Stage

Animal Extravaganza

ZooZoo show melds mime, acrobatics for family fun

Tom Giffey |

Put your flippers in the air.
Put your flippers in the air.

Kids love zoos. Kids love goofy costumes. Above all, kids love to laugh. Unfortunately for us in the Chippewa Valley, the zoo is very cold in the wintertime, and our favorite goofy costumed creature – the Eau Claire Express mascot, Trax – is on vacation until baseball season begins. Fortunately, we can still laugh – but at what? Easy: Get down to the State Theatre for the Feb. 23 performance of ZooZoo, a costumed extravaganza of acrobatics, mime, and general silliness presented by Imago Theatre of Portland, Ore. The show, which has been wowing audiences around the globe since 2009, is in the midst of its final national tour. What exactly is ZooZoo? The troupe describes it like this: “Firefly eyes, hippos with insomnia, arrogant anteaters, introverted frogs, paradoxical polar bears, acrobatic worms, self touting accordions, and tricky penguins fill the stage with wonder, awe, and humor.” Their faces hidden by masks, the performers must use body language alone to tell their stories. Founded in 1979, Imago specializes in family pleasing theatrics have been favorably compared to famed troupes such as Cirque du Soleil and Mummenschanz. A previous production, FROGZ, was lauded by the New York Times for opening “the eyes to the possibilities of exploration in the vast realm of imagination.” From what I’ve read and seen in preview videos, I’m expecting a laugh-out-loud blend of physical comedy and pure child-like wonder. It’s the kind of show that will inspire the imagination of anyone aged 3 to 93.

ZooZoo, presented by Imago Theatre • Tuesday, Feb. 23, 7:30pm • The State Theatre, 316 Eau Claire St., Eau Claire • $20-$30 adults, $15 youth • (715) 832-ARTS (2787) • info@eauclairearts.com • www.eauclairearts.com