What Remains is Nothing but the Bones (Actors Theatre)

Dead as a Dodo Presented by Wakka Wakka

Written and Directed by Gwendolyn Warnock and Kirjan Waage with help from the ensemble

Review by Lan Nguyen-Colgate

Entire contents are copyright @2025 by Lan Nguyen-Colgate. All rights reserved.

Dead as a Dodo is a new play written by Gwendolyn Warnock and Kirjan Waage and performed by puppetry company Wakka Wakka. It’s a beautiful story that begins in an underworld and moves towards life in a world above. In this story a skeleton boy searches for bones to help complete his body and keep from disappearing. He is accompanied by his friend, a skeleton Dodo. Changes occur and the Dodo begins to grow feathers and return to life as the human starts to disappear. The two are pursued by a menacing, greedy Skeleton King and Princess. An epic adventure ensues.

The show opens completely in the dark. The audience is completely deprived of all senses. Unsettling, crunching noises creep in. Slowly, light enters and in combination with the layers of fringe curtain framing the stage, gives the feeling of entering a cave. No single actor takes the lead; instead a full ensemble of eight performers in black, glittering body suits move in unison. Bones appear and a song begins as the group starts to build a human skeleton.

The puppetry within this show is innovative and spectacular. The puppeteers blend together, hiding in plain sight and providing a sparkling background. Actors shift fluidly between characters. The skeletons and all the creatures move in a delightful lifelike manner. Multiple performers work together to make them all walk, dance, and sing. The music is particularly whimsical and catchy. The show creatively ties its aesthetic themes together with the music.

In spite of stunning visuals and flawless performances, the narrative does suffer a lack of clarity. What begins with a straightforward adventure story eventually devolves into wild chaos mixing existential crisis with the essence of many different afterlife narratives. There are distinct story elements the audience will understand and recognize. Other parts are left up to individual interpretation. Additionally, some significant moments within the play will create an emotional ache that lingers.

Dead as a Dodo is a creative, experimental production. It features innovative set and lighting design, amazing puppets, and fantastic musical numbers. The show is an unforgettable experience. Take a chance and go on this wild adventure.

Dead as a Dodo Presented by Wakka Wakka Actors Theatre of Louisville October 30-November 9 2025

Pamela Brown Theatre

Actors Theatre of Louisville, 316 W Main St Louisville KY www.actorstheatre.org