PORTLAND — Introverted frogs. Tricky penguins. Hungry anteaters. Hitch-hiking rabbits. Cantankerous polar bears.

These and other curiosities will take the stage when the internationally acclaimed Imago Theatre brings its “ZooZoo” show to Merrill Auditorium on Friday, April 1.

Imago Theatre performances, a unique combination of Mummenschanz-style puppetry and Cirque-like acrobatics, feature vaudeville, comedy, acrobatics and illusions.

“ZooZoo” combines mime, dance, music and special effects for all ages.

Imago’s ensemble is made up of actors, dancers, designers, fabricators and musicians who work out of Portland, Ore.

The show, presented by Portland Ovations, will begin at 7 p.m.

Founded in 1979 by Carol Triffle and Jerry Mouawad, Imago Theatre’s original productions have toured internationally for more than two decades. Imago Theatre draws inspiration from the teachings of Jazques Lecoq, who was renowned for his physical theater, movement and mime methodology.

On April 1 at 6 p.m., immediately preceding the “ZooZoo” show, artist/educator Davis Robinson of Bowdoin College will give a lecture on Maine’s connection to mime, mask and physical theater.

 For “ZooZoo” tickets, ranging from $26 to $38, call PortTix at 842-0800, visit the box office window at Merrill Auditorium or log on to www.portlandovations.org.