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) |
