Since singer-songwriter Anna Witiuk was 16 years outdated, she has undergone six open coronary heart surgical procedures to assist deal with her Marfan syndrome, a genetic situation affecting the physique’s connective tissues. Her fifth surgical procedure completely paralyzed considered one of her vocal cords, altering her singing skills and including “another grief and trauma” to her expertise of dwelling with Marfan.
“As artists with disabilities, we often live between the stereotypes: either being an utter inspiration … or treated like untouchables,” Witiuk instructed Hyperallergic.
Tonight, November 1, Witiuk’s story will take to the stage within the type of a self-written tune on the Decrease East Facet’s Abrons Arts Heart for the debut efficiency of That Paradise Place — an erotic musical delving into the romantic experiences and sexual fantasies of artists with disabilities by means of the usage of huge puppet alter-egos.
The present facilities round 12 actual tales from artists who opened up about their aspirations for love, sexual needs, and erotic fantasies.
Introduced by Williamsburg arts nonprofit Summertime Gallery, the manufacturing revolves round the true romantic and sexual experiences of 12 artists with disabilities that have an effect on their bodily, developmental, and mental functioning. It covers matters starting from assembly one’s old flame and life companion in center college to fantasizing a couple of BDSM relationship with one’s medical surgeon.
That Paradise Place is the creation of the experimental puppet troupe Pussypaws Puppetry, which was based final 12 months by sisters-in-law Priscilla Frank, who directed the present, and Alana Hauser, the present’s producer. Their inspiration originated in the course of the 2020 pandemic, whereas Frank was working at YAI Arts and Tradition, a nonprofit artwork studio supporting grownup artists with developmental and mental disabilities.
“[The artists] started just sharing stories about either their imaginary worlds or their wishes about wanting to find love and wanting to go on a date and all of these things,” Frank instructed Hyperallergic, including that their tales ranged from “sweet and touching” to “wild and surprising” and “much more fun to gossip about” than something she was listening to from her friendship circles.
Songs within the present embody “Demon Daddies Full of Love,” “Busty Goddesses Full of Love,” and “Ice Elf Is Full of Love,” that are additionally out there to hear on Spotify.
This expertise led Frank to interview eight completely different artists with disabilities about these romantic needs and sexual fantasies, and produce their tales to life by means of tune and puppetry — an artwork type that each “added a layer of anonymity” for the storytellers and “embolden them to share” their tales.
Consequently, That Paradise Place is grounded in songs that discover experiences each deeply emotional and amusingly curious, delving into fantasies of busty cartoon goddesses and demon “daddies” that supply consolation and security whereas additionally inspiring sexual want.
Considered one of these tales that’s instructed by means of the tune “Mystic Phoenix is Full of Love” facilities on the true life expertise of cosplay artist and the present’s puppet maker Chris Chronopoulos, who met his companion within the center college lunchroom over twenty years in the past. At tonight’s sold-out debut he may even be what Frank described because the “puppet ER doctor.”
“I can understand how hard it is to let go and be vulnerable …. about their feelings and emotions and how they feel about the world they live in,” Chronopolous instructed Hyperallergic. “It’s remarkable to see so many people stepping up to the occasion and show off their stories and being portrayed in the form of puppets.”
Inspiration for the present originated in the course of the 2020 pandemic when the manufacturing’s director Priscilla Frank was working on the arts nonprofit YAI Arts and Tradition.
Whereas all three performances, which occur by means of this weekend, are offered out, these eager about listening to the tales can hearken to the soundtrack on Spotify, and Chronopolous mentioned he’s hopeful about increasing the manufacturing. The present is at the moment financed by a fundraising marketing campaign and a number of other grant funds.
“A friend said to me the best compliment which was that this show doesn’t just normalize the experience of people with disabilities, but shows how beautiful and creative and extraordinary their lives are,” Frank mentioned.