Mummenschanz, the movement trio of Bernie Schurch, Floriana Frasetto and John Murphy, are performing their unique blend of mime, dance and puppetry Sept. 10-12 at Chicago's Athenaeum Theatre. The performances are part of Swiss Week, a 10 festival celebrating the bond between Chicago and Switzerland. The troupe, originally created by Schurch, Frasetto and the late Andre Bossard, is a rough translation of mummery or masquerade. It is also the word for a mask worn by medieval Swiss mercenaries during card games to hide their facial expressions. The Tony Award-winning company has performed their brand of visual theatre throughout the United States and Europe, landing on Broadway twice. From 1993-1996, they toured a production titled Parade, on which the Chicago performance is based.
Tickets ($45-$28) are available by calling Ticketmaster at (312) 902 1500. The Athenaeum Theatre is located at 2936 N. Southport.
-- By Christine Ehren