Since singer-songwriter Anna Witiuk was 16 years old, she has undergone six open-heart surgeries to help treat her Marfan syndrome, a genetic condition that affects the body’s connective tissues. Her fifth surgery permanently paralyzed one of her vocal cords, altering her singing abilities and adding “another sadness and trauma” to her experience with Marfan.
“As artists with disabilities, we often live between stereotypes: either being an absolute source of inspiration… or being treated as untouchables,” Witiuk said. Hyperallergic.
Tonight, November 1, Witiuk’s story will take the stage in the form of a self-penned song at the Abrons Arts Center on the Lower East Side for the debut performance of That heavenly place – an erotic musical that delves into the romantic experiences and sexual fantasies of performers with disabilities through the use of enormous puppet alter egos.
Presented by the Williamsburg Arts nonprofit Summer Gallerythe production revolves around the real romantic and sexual experiences of twelve artists with disabilities that affect their physical, developmental and intellectual functioning. It covers topics ranging from meeting your first love and life partner in high school to fantasizing about a BDSM relationship with your medical surgeon.
That heavenly place is the founding of the experimental puppet group Pussypaws puppet showwhich was founded last year by sisters-in-law Priscilla Frank, who directed the show, and Alana Hauser, the show’s producer. Their inspiration came during the 2020 pandemic, while Frank was at work YAI Art and Culturea nonprofit art studio that supports adult artists with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
“[The artists] just started sharing stories about their imaginary worlds or their desires about wanting to find love and wanting to date and all these things,” Frank shared Hyperallergicadding that their stories ranged from “sweet and touching” to “wild and surprising” and “much more fun to gossip about” than anything she heard from her friendship circles.
This experience led Frank to interview eight different artists with disabilities about these romantic desires and sexual fantasies, and to bring their stories to life through song and puppetry – an art form that both “added a layer of anonymity” for the storytellers and ‘encouraged them to share’ their stories.
As a result That heavenly place is based on songs that explore experiences that are both deeply emotional and amusingly curious, delving into fantasies of busty cartoon goddesses and demonic “fathers” who provide comfort and security while arousing sexual desire.
One of these stories, told through the song “Mystic Phoenix is Full of Love,” is about the real life experience of the show’s cosplay artist and doll maker. Chris Chronopouloswho met his partner more than twenty years ago in the high school lunchroom. At tonight’s sold-out debut, he will also be what Frank described as the “puppet ER doctor.”
“I can understand how hard it is to let go and be vulnerable…. about their feelings and emotions and how they think about the world they live in,” Chronopolous said Hyperallergic. “It is remarkable to see so many people rising to the occasion and sharing their stories and being depicted in the form of puppets.”
Although all three performances, taking place this weekend, are sold out, those interested in hearing the stories can listen to the soundtrack at Spotifyand Chronopolous said he is hopeful about expanding production. The show is currently funded by a fundraising campaign and various grant funds.
“A friend said the best compliment to me: This show not only normalizes the experience of people with disabilities, but shows how beautiful, creative and extraordinary their lives are,” Frank said.
