Ennio, the amazing "international origami hit" and "one-man cartoon factory" who has been a hit with audiences in both his visits to the Napa Valley, will return to the Bay Area this month for a limited run of 14 shows at the Berkeley Repertory Theater.

His uproarious tour de force, written and performed by Ennio Marchetto and directed by Sosthen Hennekam opens today and closes July 21.

Known as "the human paper-doll," Ennio makes the art of origami into theatrical magic. The original quick-change artist, he races through 50 life-size costumes in only 70 minutes, lampooning politicians, celebrities and historical figures in a presentation that's part commedia dell'arte, part Disney, and fun for all ages. Accompanied by non-stop music, he creates caricatures of pop-culture icons ranging from Marilyn Monroe to Marilyn Manson, stopping along the way to see Snow White, Celine Dion, Madonna and more. A worldwide hit, Ennio receives raves wherever he goes.

"An absolute hoot," exclaims the New York Times.

"A sustained hour of heaven from an entertainer touched by genius," proclaims Time Out London. "This is performance at its crazy, creative, unfettered best."

The Los Angeles Times asserts, "Watching Ennio transform himself into a gallery of celebrities, objects and historical icons is like being transported to an alternate reality where all things are possible."

Variety reports that Ennio "has the audience rolling in the aisles" -- and the Village Voice sums it up, saying simply, "Run to see it!"

A native of Venice, Ennio Marchetto worked in the family business repairing espresso machines until the annual Carnival inspired him to explore his talent for creating costumes and masks. His award-winning show debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and has toured the globe -- amazing audiences in China, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. In the last year alone, Ennio was a hit at Morrissey's Meltdown Festival in London, performed for an audience of 40,000 people in Copenhagen, played a month of sold-out shows in Amsterdam, and gave a Royal Command Performance for the Queen of England. He's coming to California after shows in Paris, Berlin and Monte Carlo.

The Roda Theatre is located at 2015 Addison St., one block from Berkeley's downtown BART station and close to AC Transit bus lines. The theater is accessible to the handicapped, offering wheelchair seating and special services for those with hearing- or vision-impairment. The box office is next door at 2025 Addison Street.

Tickets for Ennio, priced from $20 to $45, are on sale now. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. To purchase seats or for more information, call (510) 647-2949 or (888) 4.BRT.Tix (toll-free) -- or visit berkeleyrep.org where you can also get a behind-the-scenes-look at Ennio's one-man cartoon factory.