Making its North American debut at the Detroit Institute of Arts, Rebetiko is a poignant and visually stunning puppet performance by Marseille-based Anima Theatre. Directed by Yiorgos Karakantzas and written by Panayotis Evangelidis, the piece draws on the Greek urban folk music of the 1920s—rebetiko—as a sonic thread through a contemporary odyssey of exile, displacement, and resilience. Merging handcrafted puppetry, live and recorded music, and haunting video projections, Rebetikocreates a dreamlike landscape where memory and migration intertwine.

Then, after the October 25th performance, we invite you to the Hellenic Museum of Michigan for a free, one-night-only Post-Play Reception. The event will feature an exclusive display of the puppets used in the production, live music, and an opportunity to meet the actors and creative team behind Rebetiko.

In addition, guests can explore a new, specially curated exhibit Rembetiko: The Songs of Struggle and Survival at the Hellenic Museum inspired by the themes and visual world of Rebetiko, offering deeper insight into the cultural and historical context behind the performance. 

Don’t miss this special evening celebrating art, culture, and storytelling!