The Raven and Other Images of Edgar Allan Poe

Sacramento State University professor emeritus and renowned puppeteer Richard Bay has resurrected and revised a show he first produced at CSUS in 1979—The Raven and Other Images of Edgar Allan Poe. It’s an evening with Poe that explores both the writer and his works by using live actors who examine Poe’s life and a range of puppets that act out scenes of Poe’s greatest works. The puppets are used Japanese Bunraku style, with two people controlling one puppet by manipulating them through rods and gloved hands for gestures. The results are often mesmerizing and breathe new life into Poe’s works. Because the puppets lack facial expressions and the puppeteers stand onstage, it takes a few minutes to become engrossed in the characters. But thanks to the skilled puppeteers’ fluid gestures and talented dialogue delivery, the figures soon become animated and believable. F, Sa 8pm; Su 2pm. Through 4/21. $15-$17. Chautauqua Playhouse, 5325 Engle Rd. in Carmichael; (916) 498-7529; www.cplayhouse.org.