Detroit’s PuppetART Theater hosted Jim Napolitano for a weekend of “Soothing Melodies for Deranged Children,” and I was there. . . So much of what puppetry is about is intended for adults, that spin of anarchy and satire and serious playacting, and of course the whole universe of desire: not just the bawdy surprise of Hey, those dolls are, you know, getting it on, but the more intricate emotional assemblages possible between constructed actors. Wish there was plenty more of it, or at least more where I am.

Jim works with shadow puppets, and offered a backstage, hands-on Q&A after his performance, where the actors were handled, dandled, and put through their paces (fore and aft) by interested parties, including me. It looks a lot easier from the other side of the screen. Good practice for the trailer, too; the puppet-shoot should happen this week.