Interpretive dance, artistic expression and trickery of the eye are intertwined in a unique sensory-appealing performance of mime for the mind.
Tony Montanaro has been impacting audiences for over 40 years as a mime, actor, choreographer, director and writer of his own performances.
Montanaro, his wife, Karen Hurll Montanaro, and their talents will appear at ASU's Kerr Cultural Center in Scottsdale on Feb. 8.
"It's a fascinating combination of dance, acrobatics, story-telling and performing that is synthesized down to a few minutes," said A. Nannette Taylor, manager of Kerr.
Tony and Karen have traveled the world, spreading their message of art and beauty in countries like France, Italy, Israel, Canada, Japan, China, Germany and the United States.
Known to some as the "greatest mime of last century," performer Marcel Marceau mentored Montanaro for almost 40 years.
Under Marceau's influence, Tony has used his passion for the arts to bring culture and inspiration to audiences around the world.
Montanaro spoke of theatrical performance strategy, saying, "Performers plan their material to make it interesting for their audiences. I would rather reach and 'touch' an audience than please them."
ASU theatre professor of 18 years, David Barker, added, "Anyone who sees this show will be getting exposure to a chapter in the history of mime in America."
"Students can benefit by seeing artists that continue to make a living as artists," continued Barker. "It's encouraging and inspiring."
Among his many accomplishments, Montanaro also founded a school for the performing arts in 1972, called Celebration Barn.
Celebration Barn, located in South Paris, Maine, originally offered only mime instruction but now combines various aspects of the theatrical world such as storytelling, improvisation, clowning and voice techniques.
The Montanaro husband-and-wife team have performed together in various plays, such as Coppelia, Cinderella, The Nutcracker and L'Histoire du Soldat.
The duo also collaborated to create an instructional video and book titled, Mime Spoken Here (The Performer's Portable Workshop).
This endeavor is also an educational outlet that provides tutorial tips for aspiring artists of all genres, including musicians, dancers, actors, poets and other performers.
The couple is also planning to write another book together and create a series of short videos for children about mime storytelling.
Montanaro shared his sentiments about working beside his wife. "There are no disadvantages," he said. "Only fun and growth and excitement."
Apart from their team projects, Karen has many accomplishments of her own.
As a former student of the Joffrey School of Ballet, and current dancer at the Portland Ballet, she has had much experience in the world of theatre and dance.
"Karen brings years of experience from her dance career," said Montanaro. "I enjoy teaching her the art of mime, which she is combining with her dance choreography."
When asked about the art of mime, Taylor said, "They can control their bodies to create an illusion from air and reach into another world. It is a beautiful and rewarding art form to watch."
Tony's advice to aspiring performers: "Witness many artists in their field, perform as much as possible, (for peanuts if necessary) and study with an artist they truly admire and respect."
Tony and Karen also appeared Tuesday at Kerr's guest lecture series, "Coffee at Kerr," a free, informal demonstration and lecture held at Kerr Cultural Center prior to performances.
Reach Jennifer Ballesteros at jennifer.ballesteros@asu.edu.
