Puppetry of the Penis

My husband and I explored Vegas by car yesterday morning with the intent of deciding where we would return in the evening. As we passed a sign advertising a show, Puppetry of the Penis, I pointed it out and commented we should turn in there. My husband’s hearing aids must not have been turned up or he simply tuned out the sarcasm in my voice, started to turn into the parking lot. He asked, “Are you serious?”

“No!”

We continued to our relative’s home where we were visiting. When we arrived, I had to ask if she knew there was such a thing. Not only was she painfully aware, but she had attended a performance and shared some of the acts she witnessed. The performers refer to their act as "genital origami."

For the reader to understand, flashback to childhood experiences when friends spent the night. My favorite memories occurred outside in a tent with a flashlight. Remember how you could hold your hand in a fist with two fingers held to create rabbit shadow puppets on the wall? Then through exploration more images emerged with imagination and practice.

That’s the genre of entertainment that this show offered. With a turn of your head, one eye closed and an imagination, the audience is exposed to a new art form. I must admit, we have not attended a live show as my husband says it freaks him out to watch two naked men stand on stage playing with their manhood — go figure! But I did watch a YouTube clip when my inquisitiveness surpassed wisdom.

The video is not for the faint at heart. Be careful because even my limited exposure left an imprint on my brain that may haunt me for years to come. For those of you who want to remain unadulterated, but also need to satisfy your curiosity, I will share a visual in words.

Two men, who we affectionately call the Johnson brothers, approximately 30 years of age, stand on a stage clothed in large, flowing capes, wearing shoes. An audience comprised of males and females seem to be drinking extensively. The show begins when the men appear and explain what to expect, making sure nobody has stumbled into the theatre by mistake. Then the jokes begin and through a series of puns and sexual innuendos, the audience becomes captivated.

Once the spectators are prepared, the actors (I use this word lightly) disrobe and stand with their backs to the crowd — still wearing their shoes — only their shoes. There are no strings or costumes as they manipulate their daggers to form art with titles such as “The Brain,” “The Heart,” “The Eye,” and “The Atomic Mushroom.” A huge screen on the back wall enlarges the images to enhance the experience.

It is essential to note that I only watched as much as I did of the video so as to inform the readers about this theatrical opportunity. There is nothing worse than reading an article when you know the author’s background is insufficient.

The creations, dick pics, are produced through a process of stretching, folding, twisting, curling, and tucking in amazingly shocking maneuvers. Though the images supplied resemblances to the titles applied to them, I will share the likenesses lacked elegance and style and the adjective sophisticated would not be a fitting description.

I doubt my husband and I will ever purchase a ticket to the live event; however, my eyes are opened to new possibilities. As with many pieces of modern art, I am left questioning the value and longevity of this form of performance art but recognize how the men on stage took minimalism to a whole new level.

In reality it was no big deal — unless I looked at the projection on the screen.