The Suitcase Sideshow official website
Theater
The Sailor and The Boat
The Sailor and the Boat was originally written by a Slovak pastor by the name of Damianova Rieka. It was a sailor-themed parable based on the story of the Prodigal Son. The Suitcase Sideshow adapted it to also include the cross and resurrection narrative and gave it musical interludes throughout the story. The main theme has to do with discovering what true freedom is when surrendered to the loving care of the Sailor.
(2010 – present)
Blessed Are the Poor
Blessed Are the Poor is made up of modern stories about Jesus relating to the poor in spirit. Each act takes you through a progression of brokenness, healing, and celebration, infused with layers of deeper truth. The villain is the legalistic religious man, the victims are everyday people, and the hero is Jesus.
(2008 – 2016)
The Story of Saul’s Conversion
The Story of Saul’s Conversion was the premiere show that was taken to Brazil and Eastern Europe. This story reminds us that nobody has gone so far from God’s love that they can’t be changed and given a new chance at life. Even a murderer can turn around after an experience with Jesus. Saul later became the hunted, instead of the hunter, and wrote much of the Bible.
(2005-2007)
The Giving Tree & Taking Boy
The Giving Tree & Taking Boy is inspired by Shel Silverstein’s book, The Giving Tree, only this story shows that the boy does not take from the tree like a greedy consumer of the world. The tree lovingly gives its life to the boy, more like the love of God demonstrated through Jesus, even to the point of death to the tree and on the cross. This music was never recorded in a studio. This is a live recording from a shadow theater workshop at SLOT Art Festival in Poland.
(2006-2010)
The Birthday Party Show
A vintage styled show done as a tribute to old-time radio broadcasts and designed to say “Happy Birthday” in a unique way. Written by Philip Shorey.
(2005-2008)
Music Releases
Music from Behind the Curtain
Philip Shorey has composed the music for multiple productions throughout the years with The Suitcase Sideshow. This is a compilation of marionette and puppetry soundtrack music.
Books
Kill Your Art
A Street Performer’s Guide to Being a Messeger of Jesus Christ
This is not a book about art that glorifies art. This is a book about killing your art and surrendering it to Jesus in order for your gift to reach its greatest potential. Philip Shorey, founder and director of the Suitcase Sideshow marionette theater, will take you through the creative process to discover what it takes—from a biblical perspective—to be an artist and a messenger of Jesus Christ using street performance as the creative medium.
This book is available now on amazon.com
Travelogues of a Family Sideshow
Travelogues of a Family Sideshow is a true story that spans over one-hundred-years in evangelistic anthropology beginning with the Titanic. Journey the far corners of the world as one family continuously surrenders their music, puppets, and lives to the Creator of the universe – while facing countless adversity. This is not the account of a perfect family. Nor is this a tale of mere adventure. This is evidence of how distinct the true Master of puppets’ creative hand can be, when allowed to work a generational blessing through the travelogues of a family sideshow.
– Coming soon
We have
6 Productions
Translated into 16 languages
Performed in 15 countries
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The Suitcase Sideshow is based in Minneapolis MN, and is available for booking marionette fringe theater performances as well as speaking engagements.