Mum Puppettheatre presents the first in its evening performance series, Eugène Ionesco's Rhinoceros. Rhinoceros opens to the public on October 17, 2007. Mum's Season Opening Bash will follow immediately next door at the Rosenfeld Gallery.

Rhinoceros tells the story of an entire town that casts aside their humanity to become part of a stampeding herd. One man alone resists the lure of conformity even as his friends, his fellow workers and his lover find themselves swept up in an epidemic of transformation. Translated by Derek Prouse, Rhinoceros is directed by Robert Smythe, Mum Puppettheatre's Artistic Director.

As powerful today as when it premiered in 1960, Ionesco's allegory about social conventions and the body politic has important repercussions during this political primary season.

"Ionesco wrote Rhinoceros as a response to how war changed people's thinking. During the Second World War people felt connected to each other through a common goal, and after the war they missed that sense of belonging to a larger cause. Fascism filled the void," explained Robert Smythe, Mum Puppettheatre Artistic Director. "Ionesco saw that happen first hand in Romania, and I saw its aftermath when I performed in Romania just after the revolution in 1992. Today we're frightened that we have to give up individual rights for the sake of society's well-being. Ionesco gives a chance to hear both sides of that argument and ask ourselves, 'What will I do?'"

"Mum's production of Rhinoceros promises to be one of the most evocative shows of the 2007-08 season. Robert Smythe has created a piece of theatre art which captures the fantastical and eerie quality of Ionesco's work, tapping into the unknowable within each of us in a way that can't be done when only live performers take the stage" states Lisa Shelby, Mum Puppettheatre Managing Director.

The actors featured in Rhinoceros include some of Philadelphia's finest: Corinna Burns, Andrew Gorell, Dave Johnson, John Lumia, Drew Peterson and Leah Walton.

Join the cast of Rhinoceros, Mum staff, patrons and supporters at Mum's Season Opening Bash immediately following the performance at the Rosenfeld Gallery next door. All are invited to join us for hors d'oeuvres and drinks as we stampede into the rest of the season! The Bash is a great opportunity to join in the excitement of Opening Night, and to meet the artists who make it all happen.

Opening night tickets are available for $75. For more information, call Mum at 215.925.7686.

PERFORMANCE DATES AND PRICES
October 17 - 27, 2007
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. ($25)
Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. ($30)
Opening Night, October 17, 2007 Performance and Season Opening Bash ($75)
Previews October 10-16, 2007 ($5)
For tickets, call 215.925.7686 or visit Mum online at www.mumpuppet.org.