Grade: B+

There are people, myself included, who approach performance art with some trepidation. I always wonder how stupid I'll feel if I don't understand what is being offered, or worse, can't appreciate what the rest of the audience seems to eat up.

This is not a problem with “Perplex,” Heather MacKenzie-Chapet's performance piece where the costumes are the point of departure for the jazz-rock music and interpretive dance that are the core of the presentation.

I didn't understand some of it, but I don't feel any more stupid than usual, and I found my appreciation of the piece was in direct proportion to its considerable entertainment value.

Perplex is the name MacKenzie-Chapet has chosen for the character who populates this series of mini plays.

Her creative process begins with a decision on what Perplex will wear for each song.

She sculpts textiles and then writes the song, and the result is sometimes confusing, usually riveting and always interesting.

MacKenzie-Chapet is backed by a fabulous band under the direction of Nils Nusens with Victor Penniman, Chris Frank and Alex Coronado.

The sound is like something you might hear if The Doors stopped by to jam with Charles Mingus - deep and brooding with wonderful riffs and a steady, driving back beat. Their work in the final, untitled number is superb.

MacKenzie-Chapet herself is an impressive dancer and her vocal work shows terrific control and range.

Her changes in pitch - often in the middle of a line - can make it difficult to understand her lyrics and are distracting, particularly early on. But her efforts in “Dry Clean” and “Mamma” are magnificent, clear, direct and honest.

Heather MacKenzie-Chapet and company again present “Perplex” this weekend.

There is nothing objectionable for younger children, but the performance may not hold their attention.