‘Wood Boy Dog Fish’ returns

The essentials: A mischievous puppet discovers that being human is not all it’s cracked up to be in Rogue Artist Ensemble’s stylishly macabre re-imagining of the Pinocchio tale. In what Times reviewer F. Kathleen Foley called in her 2015 review “not so much a play as a theatrical bombardment,” the staging employs puppetry, masks, music, lighting, special effects and a magic trick or two to explore the darker, more adult themes inspired by Carlo Collodi’s original novel.

Why this? Wildly imaginative staging defines the unique “hyper-theater” signature of the Rogues, a collective led by multidisciplinary artists and designers rather than the typical membership company hierarchy of actors, writers or directors.

Since the play’s 2015 debut at the Bootleg Theater, Artistic Director Sean T. Cawelti and his team have further developed and expanded it for this new venue, promising an experience even more dangerous and immersive. Playwright Chelsea Sutton’s updated script incorporates new and reworked scenes and strengthened character arcs to deepen the narrative, and composer Adrien Prévost has added songs to his haunting score.

Details: A Rogue Artists Ensemble production at Garry Marshall Theatre, 4252 W. Riverside Drive, Burbank. In previews now, opens May 18. Performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3 and 7 p.m. Sundays; ends June 24. $45–$65. (818) 955-8101. www.garrymarshall theatre.org/wood-boydog-fish