Rehearsing with Gods

Photographs and Essays on The Bread & Puppet Theater

"I never thought a book could do justice to the magic, the beauty, the power of the Bread and Puppet. But Rehearsing with Gods does just that, with the poetic, profound commentary by Marc Estrin, and the magnificent photographs by Ron Simon, all suffused with the loving spirit of Peter and Elka Schumann and their intrepid band of puppeteers."

—Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States

2004 ForeWord Magazine Silver Medal Winner in Performing Arts/Drama

Peter Schumann and his Bread & Puppet Theater are likely the most important, and surely the longest-lasting, contributors to modern American theater history. Since the early sixties Schumann and his puppeteers have been pouring out work after work on every scale: political works, mysterious works, grand works, modest works, works on the street and works in fields, works to be played in every size theater on four continents, books, prints, posters, and banners which live as show-and-tell in so many homes.

Now Ron Simon and Marc Estrin, a remarkable photographer, and a long-time puppeteer, who have each in his own way contributed to the shows, recorded events, and reflected on them. Out of their experiences they have created Rehearsing with Gods: Photographs and Essays on the Bread & Puppet Theater.

Far more than history or documentation, they identify eight archetypes engaged repeatedly by Peter Schumann and his crew. Their book consists of parallel meditations--the texts not commenting on the photos, the photos not illustrating the texts--unified and intertwined by the chapter themes of Death, Fiend, Beast, Human, World, Gift, Bread, and Hope.

Altogether, it’s a collaboration that reflects their sixty-odd man-years of personal experience in, hidden narratives of, and speculative reflections on Peter Schumann's projects, ever-more relevant to our times. This is a book that will engage both fans and newcomers--an inside-view of Peter Schumann's political-artistic world.

About the Author

Ronald T. Simon is a Canadian photographer whose 20-year study of the work of Peter Schumann remains his most important documentary project to date. His photographs have appeared in Orion Afield, American Theater, and The Globe and Mail. He has also worked for the National Film Board of Canada and CBC Radio. Ronald lives in Montreal. Visit his web site at www.fineprintphoto.com/bread/rehearsingwithgods.html.

Marc Estrin is a writer, cellist, and activist from Burlington, Vermont. His recent novel, Insect Dreams: The Half Life of Gregor Samsa, recently won a New York Public Library award as one of the 25 extraordinary books of 2002 and was dubbed “a pivotal literary landmark” by the Library Journal.