Puppetry of the Penis – Lake Street Theater

OK, I was somewhat intrigued at the prospect of full on, frontal male nudity. Heck, we women don’t get to see much of that on the stage or in movies. Somehow, though, I expected more creativity, more clever humor, more ahem — substance, more everything. I saw the Dec. 5, 2009 show.
To write this review I had to choose categories. Hmmm, Arts & Entertainment… I would definitely NOT call this art. Too much spare time on (in) someone’s hands, perhaps. Entertainment (?) a loosely used term, «Performing ARTS» (?)…oh please.
I’ll readily admit to morbid curiosity on my part. The free tickets and an intense desire to be in the city for a change were motivating factors for braving this spectacle. As open minded as I’m known to be, I seriously walked out after 15 minutes. I MEAN…15 minutes was definitely giving them the benefit of the doubt. Seriously though, how long can you stare at a train wreck? How ridiculous it was, the whole affair! It failed to live up to the hype.
After seeing Puppetry of the Penis, I won’t EVER, EVER harshly judge my creativity again. To think grown men are touring the world and getting paid alot of cash for stretching and molding their genitalia on stage in front hundreds of people, that fact is amazing.
Oh and don’t let me neglect to mention that «close up» views are provided of the ‘dick tricks’ via rear screen projection.
Attending this scene taught me once and for all, if you have PASSION for your ideas, you can find a way to market and sell them! Hey, I saw it with my own eyes, the PROOF is in the penis.
P. S., the BEST part of the evening was a Chicago-​based comedienne by the name of Beth Stelling. FUNNY, funny, funny woman! Relaxed and comfortable in her own skin. Self deprecating humor from the Rodney Dangerfield school of comedy. I see big things ahead for her. She’s got a FaceBook fan club.