Peter's Shadow

Directed by Christine Marie, in the Ensemble Theater II, Spring 09.

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An adaptation of "Peter Schlemihls wundersame Geschichte" ("Peter Schlemihl's Remarkable Story"). In the story, Schlemiel sells his shadow to the Devil [The Grey Man] for a bottomless wallet, only to find that a man without a shadow is shunned by human society. The woman he loves rejects him, and he spends the rest of his life wandering the world in scientific exploration.


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Performed as a partial Shadow play. Peter manifests as a 3 dimensional character once he gives up his shadow. The world and people remain in shadow or silhouette with the exception of several clown characters and the Grey Man who are able to cross back and fourth beyond the veil of the shadow screens.
When Peter’s Shadow detaches, it becomes a wild primal creature that the Grey Man skins and wears for himself. Peter has sold off the wild animalistic side of his nature [a part of himself that he viewed as negative and worthless]. Without it he, is no longer able to relate to other humans, he becomes intellect without passion.