What the Fuzz? Shakespeare’s Most Violent Play Gets Comedic Makeover with Puppet Titus Andronicus Off-Broadway

Hand and tongue amputations, cannibalism, and then some—all with adorable puppets! Titus Andronicus, widely regarded as Shakespeare’s worst (and certainly most gruesome) play, is getting a comedic Avenue Q style makeover with the world premiere of Puppet Titus Andronicus. Directed by Ryan Rinkel, the play will begin performances on July 24 at Theatre Row’s Beckett Theatre and run through August 17. Opening night is set for July 30.

The cast of Puppet Titus Andronicus will feature Rinkel along with Adam Weppler, Sarah Villegas, Christopher Gebauer, Alex Offenkrantz, Tom Foran, Drew Torkelson, Shane Snider, A.J. Cote, Mindy Leanse, Ross Hamman and Abby Judd.

The show will feature silly-string gore, a bunch of angry goths, a villainous anthropomorphic boar and all of the deaths, dismemberment, cannibalism and crimes against humanity that make Titus the "poetic atrocity" that it is.

Puppet Titus Andronicus is presented by the Puppet Shakespeare Players, who combine Muppet style puppetry with improvisational comedy and first folio techniques. Their past shows include Puppet Hamlet and Puppet Romeo and Juliet. Also on board as a producer is Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider, who of course is no stranger to the New York theater scene (or bizarre mashups. Happy Friday.)

Puppet Titus Andronicus will feature set design by Holly Trotta and Kevin O’Callaghan, lighting design by Leslie Smith, sound design by John Hull, costumes by Suzette Snider and puppet design by A.J. Cote.