Objects are the objective in BooTown's The Curio Show. The local company's latest puppet production tells the stories of some uncanny knick-knacks. As the doors of the titular cases open, the histories of jawbones, crystal balls, narwhal horns and jewelry are revealed to audiences via multi-media projections and shadow puppetry.
The show was inspired by co-artistic director Lindsay Burleson's recent trip to New York where she explored the history and current trend of curiosity cabinets. Cabinets of Curiosities, popularized in the 16th century, were actually rooms that resembled museums. Later on in the 18th century, the concept was contained, so to speak, and dubbed curio cabinets.
All puppets for The Curio Show are handmade by Burleson herself, with help from past puppet crafters Peter Zama, Larkin Elliott and Emily Hynds. The performance will be accompanied by a live score performed by a local musician.
The performances are held at three venues:
Rudyard's British Pub (2010 Waugh Dr.)
- Jan. 4, 10 p.m. and midnight
- Jan. 5, 8 p.m.
- Jan. 8, 8 p.m.
An Empty Storefront (3603 Main St.)
- Jan. 14, 8 p.m.
- Jan. 17, 8 p.m.
- Jan. 18, 8 p.m.