Musical puppet troupe brings "Literary Monsters" to Easthampton black box theater
The multimedia performance explores identity and belonging through music, puppetry, and literary classics, with a special guest performance to follow.
EASTHAMPTON — A performance blending rock music, shadow puppetry, and ghost stories will premiere at the Easthampton Media Black Box Studio Theater on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 7:30 p.m. The production, "Literary Monsters" from the troupe Shadow, Sound, Spectacle, draws inspiration from works by Edgar Allen Poe, Mary Shelley, Washington Irving, Emily Dickinson, and Bram Stoker to explore what it means to be a monster.
The show uses original songs, handcrafted shadow puppets, projected imagery, and live narration to transform literary figures into an examination of identity and belonging. According to organizers, the performance celebrates those who live outside society's expectations and asks audiences to reconsider who the real monsters are.
Composer and performer Jess Martin said the familiar literary monsters in classic texts are often misunderstood figures cast out by society. "As a queer artist, I found a lot of beauty and strength in these figures," Martin said. "Together, we've created a performance that celebrates difference and invites audiences to reconsider who the real monsters are."
Unlike traditional theater, the production unfolds through live music, shadow puppetry, overhead projectors, moving panoramas, sound effects, and video projection, with every visual element performed live. Puppet designer and lead puppeteer Amy West said shadow puppetry exists in the space between what is seen and hidden, making it ideal for exploring monsters and identity. The troupe has received support from the Easthampton Cultural Council, E-Media, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Videographer, musician, and puppeteer Abby Hanna noted that the show demonstrates how familiar stories remain meaningful today. Hanna said she is grateful to perform in an area that provides opportunities for experimental artists and that Easthampton has become an important arts venue as the Northampton music scene has changed in recent years.
After the main performance, audiences are invited to stay for a behind-the-scenes conversation where they can see the puppets up close and learn about the creative process. The evening will also include a special guest performance from Why's It Gotta Be? Theater Group, who will premiere "Dorian Gray is a Sodomite," a reimagining of Oscar Wilde's novel told from five distinct perspectives. Founder and President Devin Dumas said the piece explores how expectations shape queer identity and expression.