The Oconto Falls Friends of the Arts are proud to present Michael Cooper: Masked Marvels & Wondertales on Friday, February 8 at 6:00 PM. The performance will be held in the Falls Area Performing Arts Center, located at Oconto Falls High School.
Michael Cooper spins tales and weaves stories using an unusual and colorful cast of characters. Creating a world where dogs wear hats, wild stallions are tamed, giant noses sneeze and fish bait candy to catch children in a pond, Masked Marvels & Wondertales is an unforgettable experience. Referencing his childhood growing up on a ranch, Michael Cooper captivates his audience with tales of thrilling adventure, silly antics and outlandish possibilities. A show for all ages, Masked Marvels & Wondertales is sure to capture hearts and stimulate imaginations.
Michael Cooper has multiple heads, an enormous nose and a great sense of humor – all of which are blended together in a wonderful family entertainment performance. He combines mythical and autobiographical stories of courage and wonder, producing an eye-popping theatrical extravaganza featuring his breathtaking handcrafted masks, outlandish stilt dancing and a physical repertoire that ranges from the madcap to the sublime. Michael Cooper is truly a “moving sculpture.”
Michael Cooper received his B.A. in Peace Studies from Goddard College. He then went on to complete six years of theater training with Tony Montanaro in Maine and Etienne Decroux in Paris. For almost thirty years, he has spent time crisscrossing the world, performing over 8,000 times for audiences of every age. A portion of his credits include the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Hong Kong International Children’s Festival, The Comedy Store in Los Angeles, the Dublin Theater Festival, Great Woods, the Eugene O’Neill Theater, Bass Performance Hall and the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.
Michael Cooper’s one-man show is indeed a celebration of life! Taking up to three hundred hours to produce a single paper, cloth or wooden mask, he has elevated this most ancient of theater crafts to the level of a fine art. His use of captivating stories told in prose, poetry and silent mime, are sometimes funny and sometimes thought provoking. The program is designed to encourage creativity, compassion and a greater sense of self-worth. Laughter and audience participation, a humorous and energetic style and themes that speak to all ages bring a program that captivates young and old alike.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students. All tickets are subject to a $2 processing fee. For tickets, call the Oconto Falls Friends of the Arts at (920) 848-7469 or visit www.ocontofallsfriendsofthearts.com for tickets and additional show information. This performance is sponsored in part by the Oconto Falls Friends of the Arts, Neva Hodge Lemorande and ST Paper.