Seattle puppeteer and solo artist Todd Jefferson Moore kicks off A Contemporary Theatre's Bullitt stage productions March 15-18 with his absurdist examination of violence and the death penalty, The Professor, the Puppet and the Execution.

In The Professor, Moore uses his puppets and slapstick humor to illuminate a dead-serious subject. An actor and playwright, Moore wrote and performed the one-man show, In the Heart of the Woods, 18 persons' views on the fate of the Northwest's woods. He is also the author of Johnny and Killing Jar.

House of Dames' Nikki Appino directs. Moore's son, New York City puppeteer Max T. Moore, is also featured.

Composer and pianist Wayne Horvitz created the original score. Violinist Jen Charowhas will accompany the composition live each night.

Tickets are $6. A Contemporary Theatre is located at Kreielsheimer Place at the corner of 7th Avenue and Union Street. For reservations, call (206) 292-7676. A Contemporary Theatre is on the web at http://www.accttheatre.org. -- By Christine Ehren