Mite We? is Ramshackle Enterprises' hour-long play about three generations of a West Philly family, about the timeless workings of termites, and the secret world of dust mites. Local puppeteer Beth Nixon elisted six other puppeteer/actors and a six-piece band under the direction of Jack Ohly for the debut performance that ran for two sold-out nights at the Rotunda. Dozens of other people helped to sew giant mite costumes, assemble elephants, and pull parades of flying grandparents up into the suburban balconies for Mite We?'s debut performance.

Philadelphia's juggling duo Jan and Brian kicked off the evening with an array of flying rings, balls and clubs to usher in Mite We?'s Microorganism Band: Jack Ohly (upright bass and percussion), Jacob Mitas (viola and percussion), Joshua Marcus (banjo and guitar), Kimbal Brown (trumpet), Lucy Schneider (accordion and clarinet), and Susan Sakash (trombone). Beth Nixon played the part of artist/homeowner Bernice Nubson, Kelly Nesbitt was Ruth the dust mite, and Beth Pulcinella starred as the termite named Clyde. Anna Whitehead, Bianka Brunson, and Ramon Cordes played an assortment of other dust mites, termites and microorganisms, and Morgan F.P. Andrews filled the roles of Gene the Genie, Johnson from Terminex, and an anonymous invading ant. A powerful exhibit of West Philly photos by Sarah Smith hung on the walls of the Rotunda to accompany the performance.

See J.J. Tizou's photos from the show here.
Visit the Ramshackle Enterprises website here.
Learn more about Jack Ohly's music here,
and what Jack, Kimball and Jacob do together here,
Joshua Marcus makes lots of music too—find it here.
Lucy Schneider plays in Sweets & Hots,
and Susan Sakash plays in this band.
Look at Sarah Smith's photos here,