Simon's photos and Estrin's written prose tell the story of the Bread & Puppet Theater in a neighborly, yet deeply philosophical, analytical way. "Who else would have divided a book into eight sections or archetypes entitled Death, Fiend, Beast, Human, World, Gift, Bread, Hope?", asks Grace Paley in her forward to the book. Indeed, Simon & Estrin have captured the everyday of the theater: the sign making, the puppet repairs, the carrying of the massive puppet heads across the field. They have also exquisitely captured the cosmic wonder of Bread & Puppet. Estrin has written a subjective, interpretive document on the theater with Peter Schumann at the center. The elemental power of the archetypes - if you have ever been to a Bread & Puppet Theater performance you will understand that power- forces the viewer to confront meaning beyond the simple theatrical context. Rehearsing with Gods is a book to savor; Simon's photos and Estrin's commentary express angst for this world and the hope that is ultimately Peter Schumann's remarkable fight through his puppets against the injustice and evil of this world.
"I never thought a book could do justice to the magic, beauty, and power of The Bread & Puppet Theater- but Rehearsing with Gods does just that - with poetic, profound commentary by Marc Estrin, and the magnificent photographs by Ron Simon. The essays and images are suffused with the loving spirit of Peter and Elka Schumann and their intrepid band of puppeteers." So says Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States. And he is right.
There will be a reception and book signing after the reading. Please contact Northsire Books at (802) 437-3700 or visit the Northshire Books website at www.northshire.com for more information.