Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre’s ‘The Bass Saxophone’

Miloa Kasal and Theresa Linnihan with marionettes

Critics recommend Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre’s production of “The Bass Saxophone,” an adaptation by director Vit Horejs of the story by Josef Skvorecky, as great summer entertainment for adults and children alike. Writing in the Family Fare column of The New York Times, Laurel Graeber said, “For those over 10, ‘The Bass Saxophone’ – including also the talents of Deborah Beshaw, Steven Ryan, Ronny Wasserstrom, John Hyde, Colin Stetson and, at the performance I attended, Ed Rosenberg – is a revelation.”

“The Bass Saxophone” depicts a group of jazz-obsessed youth in 1944 German-occupied Czechoslovakia, who risk their lives to attain ‘inner’ freedom by playing, in the words of Goebels, “decadent judeo-negroid music,” or “jazz.”

Horejs stylishly adapts Skvorecky’s vision using puppets, designed and created by Miloa Kasal and Theresa Linnihan.

The production begins outside with live jazz as cast members read radio announcements in which the Nazis condemn certain forms of music and dance. The audience then follows the actors up a spiral staircase to a small space inside the Grand Army Plaza memorial arch, where the rest of the action ensues.

Actors intertwine with puppets, which range from intricate marionettes, to life-size figures, to perform poignant musical numbers and lighthearted songs.

Nytheatre.com wrote, “The location is astonishing, giving limited inside access to a brilliant structure, otherwise not open to the public. The puppets are fantastic, as are a number of the live actors…And the onstage musicians do a great job of bringing this work to full life.”

“The Bass Saxophone” plays through June 25 at the Grand Army Plaza memorial arch, at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue, Eastern Parkway and Prospect Park West, Park Slope, Brooklyn. Saturdays at 2 and 7 p.m.; Sundays at 2 and 5 p.m. The show is free; reserved seats are available with a suggested donation of $18; students and 65+, $11; low income, $10. For further information call (212) 868-4444. Online ticketing is available at www.smarttix.com.

Hot this week

Did David Wineland and Serge Haroche Steal Idea For The Nobel Physics Prize?

Dr. Omerbashich says the Royal Swedish Academy is a Crime Scene and he has the proof that Nobel laureates stole his discovery.

New Approaches to Disaster Relief Challenges

Disaster relief has always been a challenge. NASA, Google,...

3 Legitimate Money Making Methods to Supplement Your Income

In a perfect world, when your landlord raises your...

2016 Predictions by World Renowned Medium and Psychic Lindy Baker

World renowned medium and psychic Lindy Baker is interviewed by The Hollywood Sentinel, discussing psychic power, the spirit world, life after death, areas of concern in 2016, and much more.

Digital Coupon Customers Spending More Than Double At Stores

A new study shows that customers who use digital coupons go shopping more for groceries and other household goods more often and spend more on their shopping trips.

Protest to Stop “King Trump” and ICE from deporting Murderer Child Rapists

On June 14th, in MacDonald Park, Queens, the usual...

USAID Official, Three Executives Plead Guilty to Fraud

USAID official Roderick Watson and three company executives pled...

Truth, Justice, and the Price of Peace: A Letter to Humanity From a Tired Citizen of Earth

What is the price of peace when your heart is breaking - not from rockets or protests or flags or chants but when people stop listening.

Don’t Let’s Go To The Dogs Tonight – a South African Memoir

The war began in 1964. Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight is set in the summer of ‘79, just before an election, with white minority rule under threat.

With Republicans in Power, Firearms Rights Advocates Push to Reform Gun Laws

Gun Owners of America, a gun rights lobby, joined...

Israel Film Festival (IFF)-June 6, 2025 Prelude Luncheon

While the world antagonizes Israel, currently fighting an existential war, the Israel Film Festival (IFF) proudly held its annual sponsor luncheon.

Unibeam Secures $6M to Replace Vulnerable SMS OTPs with SIM-Based Authentication

In a bold move to redefine digital authentication, Israeli...

Can A Boiler Explode

Boiler explosions sound like something out of a disaster...

Related Articles

Popular Categories