Choreographed by Robert E. Cleary, “Puppet Master” is a single-narrative dance where Mohawk Man (Edward Salas) is ensnared by the Puppet Master (Alex Trofka) and the mime-like China Dolls, who hold Mohawk Man captive. As the 90-minute Oct. 2 debut of the 2025 - 2026 season for Kanopy Dance Company, this glam rock ballet was an intricate, enchanting dance with a narrative as complex as their movements.
The dance concert featured costumes designed by David Quinn, which ranged from intricately patterned and sparkling outfits to black dresses that flowed like rivers. Kanopy has performed Puppet Master three times since 2000, but this month’s showings were their first performance of the remastered version.
The concert's story takes a twisted inspiration from the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, as Mowhawk Man is trapped in the underworld presided over by the Puppet Master, where he is in control of the China Dolls, the Shrouds and the Souls.
Among the China Dolls, there are four different colors: red (Hannah King), blue (Miye Bishop), gold (Carolyn Fitzgibbons) and green (Stormy Gaylord). Each brings something different to the story. King conspires with the Puppet Master, Bishop is the elegant one, Fitzgibbons is the graceful one, prancing everywhere. The most important is Gaylord, who falls in love with Mowhawk Man.
The concert opened with the Puppet Master cackling over those in his power, as every dancer stepped away from the stage, slowly from his control. Then, the music began. Through the songs of the Finnish symphonic metal band Apocalyptica, all the dancers rocked on to metal cellos with feet as light as air. Each movement felt true to the theme of rock, as they incorporated many iconic movements, like Pete Townshend’s windmill and Angus Young’s “spasm.”
As the story continues, Mohawk Man is swept up in the experience of being in the underworld, from dancing with the China Dolls and the Spirits to resisting the Puppet Master’s control. Throughout the performance, the Puppet Master breaks the fourth wall, joining the audience in the front row and watching after commanding Mohawk Man to perform a solo dance, who gets enthralled by the applause for his dance.
The play ends with Mohawk's heart getting eaten and the China Dolls helping him to a boat headed to the River Styx, where the Puppet Master does the iconic Titanic pose, as Rose, while the Mohawk Man recreates the pose of Adam from the painting “The Creation of Adam.”
As the lights darkened, the audience gave a standing ovation, cheering for the elaborate dance of a Greek-inspired story the cast executed.
