Redtwist hosts interactive clown play through Nov. 4

Audiences at Redtwist Theatre will encounter a janitor clown who cleans with intense energy while reflecting on discarded objects. The performance, titled Always, Sometimes, Maybe, uses trash puppets to create a bridge between the performer and the room. Stine, who serves as the writer, actor, puppeteer, and designer, structures the show around themes of social anxiety and personal loss. The production runs through November 4 with Wednesday evening showings.

The character known as Lou emerges as a central figure in the narrative. Lou is a storyteller who has experienced the loss of a partner. Throughout the performance, Lou interacts with various audience members, offering perspectives on communication and connection. Plastic bag puppets also circulate among the attendees, functioning as a talking stick that invites participants to contribute their own thoughts to the unfolding story.

The show is not exclusively for children, though the review notes that several young people attended. The clowning style and inquisitive nature of the characters resonated with both age groups. One specific question posed during the performance, asking if a compliment must always be returned, prompted varied responses based on the age and experience of the people in the room.

Stine has performed this piece in several iterations over the past year. Earlier versions appeared as a slam piece at Nasty, Brutish & Short and during the Full Circle Festival in 2025. The work subsequently traveled to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it had two runs, and to the Cannonball Festival in Philadelphia, an experimental section of the larger Fringe event.

Director Raquel Torre joined the production for the current run at Redtwist. Torre brings a background in clowning to the direction, working alongside Stine’s wit. The review describes the current version as having found its stride, with the story of Lou exploring darker emotional cycles related to loss and societal angst. The performance balances vulnerability, such as direct eye contact, with absurdity in a wobbly high-wire routine.

The venue is located at 1044 W. Bryn Mawr. Tickets are available on a pay-what-you-can basis, with a suggested donation of $30. Showtimes are Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. The production continues through November 4.