A Selective Guide to the Arts in Los Angeles

Ennio Marchetto appears at the Pasadena Playhouse. / Photo by Manuel Bergamin

Seventy minutes of Ennio Marchetto’s unique quick-change paper origami, and delicious interpretations of chart-busting songs sung by the top divas and men of music and movie history will leave you exhausted! Exhausted from all your laughing and howling and applauding!

For “Ennio,” onstage for a limited run at the Pasadena Playhouse, Marchetto has selected and combined signature songs of popular performers (e.g., Judy Garland, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Celine, Whitney, Liza) and performs them all in full–paper drag and choreography, with various paper props to enhance the visuals.

Think paper doll costumes, but life-size, with moving, hinged body parts; add Marchetto’s exaggerated facial expressions and limber arm and leg movements, all evoking the various singers’ images and essences to the lip-syncing soundtrack of Elvis’ “Jailhouse Rock,” Justin Bieber’s “Baby,” Cher’s “Believe,” Streisand’s “Woman in Love,” or Beyonce’s “Single Ladies”; and you get the perfect concoction of infectious fun.

One particularly hysterical image featured Marchetto wearing a paper costume of Dolly Parton riding on a burro. The paper burro is hinged to gallop simultaneously with Dolly’s large paper bosoms bouncing in front of her paper face surrounded by her huge paper blonde hair.

Another showstopper began with Marchetto wearing a paper belly dancing outfit that within seconds morphed into the three (yes, THREE) Supremes singing and dancing.

Experience the multi-award-winning “Ennio,” created by Marchetto and brought to full paper life by Marchetto and Sosthen Hennekam, while you still have a chance during its short run at the Pasadena Playhouse. It’s even more fun if you’re familiar with the performers and songs that Marchetto spoofs and honors.

“Ennio” continues through Aug. 28. Showtimes are Tuesday through Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 4 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. The Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena 91101. For tickets, which start at $15, call the Pasadena Playhouse at (626) 921-1161 or visit www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org.