Karl the Cat and the Junkyard Pack co-created by Jesse Lewis and Rachel Van Staalduinen runs Nov 6th 9:45pm, Nov 7th 7:45pm, Nov 8th 7:45pm & Nov 9th 7:45pm, 2025, at the Sweet Action Theatre, 180 Shaw St #106, Toronto.

Tickets: $15

Age: 16+

Content Warnings: Mentions of weed

Box Office: www.jumpcomedy.com

Short Synopsis: Karl is an adventurous cat, exploring the garbage peaks and demolished cars of their junkyard home, but they struggle with figuring out their true purpose. Introducing the audience, the junkyard tourists, to his many puppet friends, from Daryl the Dog to Courtney the Crow, Karl will begin to figure out who they are, and how they belong in their pack. They’ll find adventure with those who matter to them the most in a 45-minute spectacle of live music and originally designed hand-puppets.

CREATIVE TEAM:

Jesse Lewis: Playwright/Composer, Producer, Karl the Cat

Rachel Van Staalduinen: Production Designer, Puppet Builder, Ensemble Cast

Charlie VanStone: Guitarist

Natasha Ross: Stage Manager, Lighting Designer

York University students Jesse Lewis and Rachel Van Staalduinen strive to tell relevant stories exploring identity with their collective Playdough Productions, as they begin their careers as young emerging artists. A response to the changing world around them, musical hand-puppet show Karl the Cat and the Junkyard Pack explores how finding yourself will help you find a sense of belonging. It invites audiences to experience childlike wonder again, because when the world around them seems scary, the answer is singing puppets. 

Playdough Productions was formed in effort to tell important queer stories through clown, mask, and puppetry. Premiering Raccacloon at the Hamilton Fringe Festival in July awarded them with a Best in Venue award and a high of 83 patrons in the audience at once. 

You can follow along with their creative endeavors by visiting holawebsite.my.canva.site.