Still, when Pirandello’s six characters make their entrance as puppets, ghostly and glowing, they are so riveting that for a moment nothing else matters.

Six Characters in Search of an Author The titular half-dozen derail a rehearsal at A Noise Within in an updated take on Pirandello's classic meta-play.

And then there’s Bokaer, who has stayed busy choreographing independent films, adapting Luigi Pirandello plays with Pharrell Williams and, evidently, playing table tennis.