As a photographer, Abel Klainbaum has always been fascinated by silhouettes.
“I fell in love with the style of the images,” said Klainbaum, whose interest in shadowy shapes led him to another art form — shadow puppetry, and Lupita’s Revenge was born.
Both the name of the troupe and the name of the play “Lupita’s Revenge” is the tale of a girl whose father was a luchador, a masked Mexican wrestler. He meets an untimely demise, and two decades after his death, she goes on a quest to avenge him.
Lupita’s Revenge will be at Le Chat Noir, 304 Eighth St., this weekend with shows Friday and Saturday. Both begin at 8 p.m.; however, Friday’s event will feature a champagne reception and artist talk. Tickets for Friday begin at $40 while tickets for Saturday begin at $25.
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After being introduced to the shadow play, Klainbaum embarked on a journey to create his own. He thought he’d do a simple show with some music, but it expanded to be a much larger undertaking as he found people who shared his vision.
Lupita’s Revenge has three puppeteers, a five-piece band and the fanciest crankie (the device used in shadow puppetry) ever made, he said.
Lupita’s Revenge is a 45-minute “crankie-opera with live music.” The soundtrack has a combination of Latin American classics, gypsy jazz and 80s pop.
The play takes place in Mexico City and Valdosta, Ga. and features luchadores, “carnivals, wild chases and ‘one mild decapitation,” according to a description.
Klainbaum said the show was featured on Hulu in a cameo in one television show and has taken its performance to multiple cities. On this year’s schedule, stops include Miami, New York City and Nashville, Tenn.
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The group has just started back its tour schedule after a 22-month COVID imposed hiatus.
Lupita’s Revenge was part of the Westobou Festival a few years ago.
Krys Bailey of Le Chat Noir said he met Klainbaum when the group performed in Augusta then, and he kept in touch with Klainbaum waiting for the right date to bring Lupita’s Revenge back.
The show has about a PG-13 rating because of some cartoon-type violence.
For more information, visit lcnaugusta.com or call (706) 722-3322.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the managing editor of The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
