Just Do It

Puppet Karaoke Big Chinatown BBQ

by Jimmy Viola

Sat., Sept. 27, 8 p.m., $25, Ly Michaels, 101 N. 11th St., 215-922-2688, puppetkaraoke.com

Perhaps Elmo and Grover have permanently cuddled their way into our hearts, but in the hierarchy of comedy, puppetry is often clumped somewhere between pantomime, clowns and the Amazing Gallagher. Alex Strang wants to change that.

"Stuff that makes it into the mainstream is either just for kids or highly ridiculous," says Strang, who, with collaborator R.S. Purcell, created Puppet Karaoke in 2004. "Then you have the opposite end of the spectrum with really underground political stuff, nothing that's really funny just for the regular guy or girl."

After a successful run of monthly shows in Fishtown, Strang's extravaganza of karaoke, improv comedy skits and rambunctious audience participation is relocating to Ly Michael's restaurant in Chinatown this Saturday. The first show at the new location includes an all-you-can-eat barbecue buffet and will be hosted by DJ Robert Drake.

"[Puppets] are deadly serious, but when they're drunk they do a 180-degree turn and are completely insane, in a good way, of course," says Strang. "I also like the fact that if you put a puppet on your hand, you can do pretty much anything."

This, evidently, includes belting out over-the-top renditions of songs that range from Anthrax to Sinatra to Lupe Fiasco. Everyone is invited to sing along, try their hand at controlling one of the puppets, or even do both, though Strang warns the latter becomes difficult as the night wears on.

"The patrons of the show are often intoxicated," he says. "That may or may not be a prerequisite. Puppets themselves are high on life."