Get ready to be astounded by an obscure combination of monstrous octopi, whimsical puppets and pulsating rock ‘n’ roll. On July 7, Cthulhu: The Musical!, the product of the Oregon-based troupe Puppeteers for Fears, (PFF) promises a theatrical experience different from any other: think Lovecraftian horror merged with quirky musical comedy.
Known for their ingenious way of puppeteering and an appetite for twisted tales turned upside down, PFF brings to life H.P. Lovecraft’s truly creepy narrative, The Call of Cthulhu, in the most unexpected format — musical comedy. The Call of Cthulhu tells an ancient tale of malevolent entities lurking on the floor of the ocean, haunting the dreams of humans with unsettling visions. PFF somehow manages to inject their trademark irreverence and wit into this spine-tingling narrative.
In an interview with the Charleston City Paper, PFF’s artistic director and playwright Josh Gross explored the creative process behind his puppeteering troupe and the challenges of adapting classic horror into comedy.
Gross grew up playing in bands before later exploring his passion for playwriting in college. The idea of blending these two passions had always intrigued him, however, he struggled with the authenticity of musical theater, Gross explained.
“I had trouble taking musicals seriously, as spontaneously breaking into song and dance rarely feels genuine onstage,” he said.
This all changed when he was presented with the opportunity to write a short, Halloween-themed puppet show for a theater company based in Boise, Idaho. As time progressed, these shows gained traction and naturally, led to the creation of the PFF.
“I started plotting out different monsters or themes or ‘seasons’ we could do shows based around, especially as features instead of shorts,” Gross said.
Unexpected inspiration
The inspiration for Cthulhu: The Musical! came from an unconventional source, Gross said — a joking experiment in informal market testing. “As a joke, I started adding the words ‘the musical’ to things to see how people would react,” he recalled. The whimsy turned serious when a casual mention of Cthulhu: The Musical in a public setting unexpectedly garnered interest. “Caught a bit off-guard, I said, ‘Here, in the fall. Look for posters,'” Gross recounted.
The defining moment arrived when Gross’ significant other playfully challenged him to bring the idea to fruition. “Well, now you have to write it,” she remarked, encouraging Gross to tackle the daunting task of adapting Lovecraft’s elusive work.
“It had been a joke initially, because we were talking about how Lovecraft is so resistant to adaptation, and that it would be a real challenge,” Gross reflected. But despite the initial skepticism, the project blossomed, offering unexpected opportunities and becoming a resounding success.
Humor in horror
Turning such a dark and unsettling story into a musical comedy made more sense than you might expect, Gross said. “In a weird way, horror — especially Lovecraftian psychological horror — and comedy are two sides of the same coin,” he mused. “Both involve turning something sideways and seeing it in a new way.”
This perspective allowed them to find humor in horror, leveraging what Gross called Lovecraft’s “penchant for hyperbole” to create absurd yet compelling narratives. Musically, Gross emphasized the thematic integration of “madness” into the score. This approach not only enhances the storytelling but also reinforces the eerie atmosphere of Lovecraft’s works.
“I wanted to highlight the themes of the story in the score, and since the story is about madness, the most key decision there was to include a repeating musical theme intended to get stuck in your head, as that’s a sure path to madness,” he noted.
As PFF prepares to wrap up the last part of its national tour of Cthulhu, Gross expressed excitement about bringing this fusion of genres to new audiences.
“We have been dreaming of a full national tour for a long time,” he said. “It’s super cool to be playing venues where so many bands and comedians we love have played or are actively booked to play. It helps with the imposter syndrome of doing something as outside the box as touring in a rock-and-roll puppet show.”
Don’t miss your chance to witness this one-of-a-kind production at the Music Farm on July 7. Whether you’re a Lovecraft fan, horror fanatic or simply curious about the intersection of genres, Cthulhu: The Musical! offers an evening of entertainment that defies expectations and embraces the absurdity lurking beneath the surface of even the darkest tales.
Catch Cthulhu: The Musical! 8 p.m. July 7. Tickets start at $17 at musicfarm.com.
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