James Roday Rodriguez & Branford’s Legacy Theatre present the World Premiere of MASTERS OF PUPPETS

James Roday Rodriguez (“A Million Little Things,” “Psych”) & The Legacy Theatre will present the world premiere of "Masters of Puppets", written by Laurence Davis*, and directed by Gabe McKinley. It will begin its limited run at The Legacy Theatre on Thursday, May 25, and run through June 11, 2023.

 

"Masters of Puppets" is a fictionalized, no holds barred look at the dirty underbelly of professional wrestling written by insider Laurence Davis*. The riveting drama takes you from the corner office to the top turnbuckle and will star Dana Ashbrook (Showtime’s "Twin Peaks"), Amanda Detmer (Fox’s "Empire"), Kurt Fuller (CBS’s "Evil"), Michael Hogan (Fox’s "The Resident"), Michael Bobenhausen (“Imposters") and Joshua W. Heggie ("Big River").

 

The creative team includes Jamie Burnett (scenic and lighting design), Gali Noy (costume design), Adam Jackson (sound design), Erica Pajonas (props design), Emmett Cassidy (fight choreographer), and T. Rick Jones?(production stage manager).

 

“I have been a pro wrestling fan my whole life. From its humble beginnings in traveling carnivals to the billion-dollar industry that fills arenas across the world, one thing has always been intrinsic to its machinations: storytelling. "Masters of Puppets" peels back the canvas and gives us a peek at the shoots behind the works, and it's absolutely electric. Ging Ging." (Producer, James Roday Rodriguez)

 

"How exciting to begin the season as the host of the World Premiere of this thrilling new work, "Masters of Puppets", with such seasoned, recognizable visiting artists in this precious seaside town in Stony Creek. Orson Welles presented his bold, new theatrical work at this very venue in the 1930s, and I am moved to produce programming in a similar vein nearly a hundred years later, championing new works that challenge and thrill audiences. This one is particularly fulfilling as I am collaborating with artists I have known for 25 years." (The Legacy Theatre’s Artistic Director, Keely Baisden Knudsen)

 

“There’s always been questions as to what’s real and what’s fake in the world of wrestling, and those questions continue to this day. This piece explores the topic in a really thought-provoking way. It’s a gritty, no-holds-barred approach to the subject matter. We are happy to present its World Premiere.” (The Legacy Theatre’s Managing Director, Jeff Provost)

 

The world premiere of "Masters of Puppets" debuts at The Legacy Theatre (128 Thimble Islands Road, Branford, CT 06405) on Thursday, May 25, at 7 p.m. Performances run through June 11, with shows on Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are on sale now; season subscribers to all four productions receive a 25 percent discount.

 

Content Warning: For mature audiences. Contains violence, harsh language, and drug use. There is no puppetry in the production.

 

For more information and tickets, visit www.LegacyTheatreCT.org or call (203) 315-1901.