Cal State Fullerton Tip Sheet California State University, Fullerton
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January 16, 2003::No.129

The Chameleons

Who: PAIR (Professional Artists in Residence) Celebrity Series
   
What: THE CHAMELEONS
Keith Berger and Sharon Diskin
   
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003 (one performance only)
   
Where: Plummer Auditorium, 201 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton
   
Background:

The Chameleons (Keith Berger and Sharon Diskin) perform a unique brand of movement theater blending physical comedy, mimetic illusion, romantic vignettes, comic sketches and creative, imaginative sound effects and stage techniques.

This is a special entertainment program that truly transcends all language barriers for an evening of pure visual delights.

From the moment they hit the stage the spell is cast — characters appear and then vanish down mysterious escalators only to reappear on a phantom train. An uncanny but playful wind blows two strangers together for a blazingly romantic encounter, only to blow them apart again tragically.

An entire cavalcade of vignettes and stories are performed in the two-hour adult performance, which is also suitable for children eight and above.

Berger and Diskin, who are husband and wife, have performed as a team since 1985 in both North America and Europe. Among their performance venues are New York City’s La Mama, Los Angeles House of Blues and the world renowned Edinburgh Festival in Scotland.

Since 1990 The Chameleons have performed extensively for the Los Angeles Music Center’s Education Division, and their television appearances include featured roles on the “Wonderworks” PBS special “Gryphon” and numerous guest appearances on talk and variety programs in the U.S. and Great Britain. Gifted teachers as well as performers, they have taught physical theater and mime at Cornell University, The Disney Studios and at their own studios in New York and Los Angeles.

Keith Berger adheres to no one doctrine of physical theater. His influences range from the classical French pantomime of Barrault and Marceau to the forcefully dynamic American Mime Theater style. He was among the very first performers to take his act on to the streets of New York City and was named the city’s “Most Outstanding Street Performer.” Since then he has toured his one-man show throughout the United Stated and Europe. Among these concerts are featured performances at Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, The Palm Beach Arts Festival and a Royal Command Performance for Princess Grace of Monaco. Some of his television and film credits include Red Skelton’s “Funny Face,” “Crossover Dreams,” “Angel Heart,” “The Suicide Club” and a starring role on CBS’ “Space Rangers.” Off-Broadway he wrote and starred in “Broken Toys.”

Sharon Diskin began her professional theater career as a child in Arizona, acting in numerous stage productions, including her portrayal of Anne Frank in “The Diary of Anne Frank.” Since then she has gone on to portray such classic roles as “Peter Pan” and “Miss Julie.” She fell in love with the art of physical theater and mime in college when she had the good fortune to study with a guest artist named Keith Berger. After graduating from Oberlin College with a degree in Spanish she went on to train for six years at The American Mime Theater in New York City under the tutelage of Paul Curtis. During this time she teamed up with Keith Berger to form their very unique performance duo. Her film work includes ”Angel Heart” and Chantal Acherman’s “Histoires D’Amerique.”

“Captivating, beautiful … hilarious, new & witty … moving & acutely observed” — The Scotsman (Edinburgh Festival)

“For all the laughter they produced and all the technical skill they revealed as mimes, the greatest gift The Chameleons have to share is an engaging warm humanity that needs few words to touch audience members of all ages.” — The Maui News

“Sublime … superbly talented … great entertainment” — Evening News (Edinburgh, Scotland)

   
Tickets: Advance sales $25 & $20 ($2-off on advance sales with Titan discount — full time students, senior citizens or CSUF ID). At the door, all tickets $25 & $20.
   
Box Office: Performing Arts Center box office 657-278-3371 (11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday-Friday) or 24/7 on the Internet at www.tickets.com
   
Internet: www.pair.fullerton.edu
   
Media Contact: Elizabeth Champion, College of the Arts at 657-278-2434