'Frankenstein (Mortal Toys)' Puppet Show at HERE Arts Jan.8-19

The OBIE award-winning HERE Arts Center in association with Automata proudly presents Frankenstein (Mortal Toys), directed and designed by Janie Geiser and Susan Simpson.  This production is presented through HERE's Dream Music Puppetry Program as part of HERE's 2007-08 season that includes seven new multi-disciplinary mainstage productions of theatre, dance, puppetry and multimedia work.  Frankenstein (Mortal Toys) will play Tuesday, January 8 (Official Opening Night at 7PM) through Saturday, January 19 at HERE Arts Center (145 Sixth Avenue).

"Frankenstein (Mortal Toys) is a full-length miniature spectacle based on a distilled adaptation of Mary Shelley's evocative novel.  Frankenstein (Mortal Toys) follows the haunted journey of Victor Frankenstein and the startling monster created by his own hands.  The menacing beauty of the arctic and the high Alps surround the distraught scientist as he confronts the loneliness and rage of his alienated creature.  Performed within a miniature proscenium frame, Frankenstein (Mortal Toys) uses puppets based on 18th Century American portrait paintings and lush sets inspired by Romantic-era landscape painting.  Shadow and film sequences emerge from this central set to provide windows into the souls of the man and his monster.  The piece reveals a vivid world of melancholy, loss and existential longing," explain press notes.

Frankenstein (Mortal Toys) features Severin Behnen's hypnotic and live score for accordion, organ and toy piano.  Performers include Chris Payne, Dana Wilson, Eli Presser, Sarah Brown, Susan Simpson and Janie Geiser.  Lighting Design is by John Eckert and Jeanette Yew, with shadow puppets by Leah Chun.

Frankenstein will play January 8 – January 19 at HERE Arts Center (145 Sixth Avenue, one block below Spring Street) as follows: January 8 – 14, Tuesday - Monday at 7PM with matinee performances on Saturday & Sunday at 2PM.  January 16-19, Wednesday – Saturday at 7PM with a matinee performance on Saturday at 2PM.

Tickets are $20 / Student tickets are $15.  Purchases can be made online at www.here.org, or by calling (212) 352-3101, or at the HERE Box Office (4 PM until curtain on performance days).  For more info, visit www.here.org.