What happens when your creation takes over your show? That’s exactly what has happened to the folks at Dutch Uncle Puppetry, and their newest incarnation of Gregori’s Phantastik Big Time Show–part of After Hours @TPM.
Gregori’s started out as a puppet variety show, a series of vignettes by the troupe using different characters and settings to tell short, narrative-based stories. Think of it as puppet sketches, but not exclusively funny. Some were poignant and beautiful, some gripping and challenging, and some downright hilarious. They represented a group of puppeteers and storytellers who really know what they’re doing. But the whole of the show was hosted by Gregori–the often-hilarious, always-innocent, slightly-irreverent grave-digger who titles the show. And he was a hit.
Mostly improvised, this character really took flight in “hosting” the event, and now Dutch Uncle Puppetry is looking to a slightly different format for their show–one which allows special guests to come into the folds and one which highlights Gregori’s superlative hosting skills. In other words, their creation started making choices about what they’re creating, and I think that’s a pretty magical thing for a character to do. They’ve also opened up into the community, and by including other performers in the show, they’ve created something of a puppet community. And who wouldn’t want to be a part of it?
You can catch the next Gregori’s Phatastik Big Time Show here tomorrow night as part of After Hours @ TPM. It all kicks off in our upstairs Cab Space at 10pm, with a PWYC admission (suggested $10).
The event (and a complete performer listing) is on Facebook.
And check out this incredible video of the charming Gregori at work:
