Iwasa is a physical comedian from Japan who’s toured with Ringling Brothers and now works with the Bindlestiff Family Circus and as a hospital clown. As Levsky and Upstill’s lovers cling to life and each other, Iwasa dips in and out of their story, variously as a street performer, an old friend, a soldier, a refugee camp worker and more. She’s a delightful presence — light and specific, eager without being cutesy, her body both meticulously controlled and very free, her face serious but open.

All of the cast members have their moments but if anyone stands out, it is Mariko Iwasa who perfectly portrays the dour demeanor of a stage manager at work—happy to work in the background getting the job done. When Annie is suddenly forced on stage to play Florence after Sandra is knocked unconscious, Annie is at first almost no help at all. But she quickly rises to the occasion, fully embracing the role of Florence and fighting tooth and nail to keep it. Iwasa is, in her real life, a highly skilled clown, and she is brilliant and devastating in the role of Annie. Her expressive face, her amazing physical prowess – filling in for the mantlepiece which has fallen off the wall, frantically trying to reassemble the script strewn on the floor – it is nonstop hilarity. She has a sweetness and delight in discovering each moment that is unparalleled and it is hard to take your eyes off of her.

Award-winning physical comedian and Ringling Brothers veteran Mariko Iwasa steals the show at Chicago’s Teatro ZinZanni with her rubbery, “elastic face” and virtuosic silent clowning. Showcasing dazzling slapstick, mime, and precision tap-dancing, her magnetic, vaudevillian charm anchors the immersive, four-course dinner-theater experience

Mariko Iwasa, an actress that has spent her past four years as a clown in the renowned Ringling Brothers Circus, is highly hilarious in the mostly silent role of Snoopy. She dazzles the audience with her charm, energy, and spunky personality in the beloved role. Iwasa also shows off some seriously show-stopping tap moves perfectly choreographed by Stephfond Brunson. The vaudevillian style actress, of course, steals the spotlight in whatever scene she is in. She even has the opportunity to show off some of her mime skills.

Mariko Iwasa, an actress that has spent her past four years as a clown in the renowned Ringling Brothers Circus, is highly hilarious in the mostly silent role of Snoopy. She dazzles the audience with her charm, energy, and spunky personality in the beloved role. Iwasa also shows off some seriously show-stopping tap moves perfectly choreographed by Stephfond Brunson. The vaudevillian style actress, of course, steals the spotlight in whatever scene she is in. She even has the opportunity to show off some of her mime skills.

Talented mime Mariko Iwasa expands on Snoopy’s role with classic silent comedy sometimes directly lifted from the source, and sometimes not connected at all to Schultz’s resourceful and cheeky beagle.