Showtimes & Tickets
$18 all-ages general admission / $14.50 members / plus $2 service fee
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Feb 14 (Sat) 2026: 10:30 am | 1:00 pm
Feb 15 (Sun) 2026: 10:30 am | 1:00 pm
Feb 16 (Mon) 2026: 10:30 am
Feb 17 (Tues) 2026: 10:30 am
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About the Show
Join the mischievous Monkey King in taming a fiery mountain! When Monk Tang and his disciples are stopped mid-journey by a blazing fire mountain, they learn that only a magical fan can put out the flames. But, the powerful Iron Fan Princess doesn’t want to let them borrow it! Will the disciples be able to use their powers of transformation and persuasion — and puppet martial arts! — to win the fan and save the day?
Beautiful Bu Dai Xi puppets, live music performed on erhu, flute, and percussion, and expressive silk scarves bring to life this episode of the classic Chinese adventure story Journey to the West.
Puppeteers Madeleine Beresford and Margaret Moody studied traditional Bu Dai Xi puppetry in Taiwan under master puppeteer Li Tien-Lu, who also wrote the script for The Fiery Mountain and its Princess. Jimmy and Iris Zhao provide energetic improvised scoring inspired by traditional pieces.
After the Show: Meet the Puppets & More!
Stay after the show to meet the artists and see the puppets up close — the artists speak English and Mandarin!
Plus, enjoy a dress-up station and coloring sheets! These activities are available after every performance, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday, and 11:30 am - 12:30 pm on Monday and Tuesday.
All ages welcome, especially enjoyed by ages 5 - 12
Bu Dai Xi hand puppets, masks, and live music
Length: 40 minutes
Language: English — A Mandarin summary of the show's action will be available
From Greater Boston & New Jersey!
Puppeteering by Madeleine Beresford, Margaret Moody
Music performed by Jimmy Zhao and Iris Zhao
Bu Dai Xi puppets made by Li Chuan- tsain of I Wan Jan Troupe, Taiwan
Script by Li Tien-lu of I Wan Jan
Watch a Teaser Clip!
About the Artist
Madeleine Beresford founded Galapagos Puppets in 1987, with fellow Oberlin College-grad Margaret Moody. In the 1980s, the pair studied Bu Dai Xi puppetry with Taiwan’s master puppeteer Li Tien-lu, a “national living treasure” and his sons.
Madeleine Beresford lives in Ridgewood, New Jersey, where she enjoys bringing together the arts of sculpture, theater and writing through puppetry. In addition to BuDai Xi, Madeline performs in various styles, including life-size and rod puppetry. Margaret Moody lives in Arlington, Massachusetts and performs solo and ensemble shows throughout New England.
Jimmy Zhao began performing Chinese folk instruments as a teenager in China. In the U.S., he has introduced students to the rhythms and melodies of traditional Chinese music as a performer and teacher. Jimmy has taught countless adults and children to play Chinese folk instruments and has led or collaborated in performances hosted by Berklee School of Music, New England Conservatory, Harvard University, and Chinese Culture Connection, among others. In 2024, Jimmy received a “Creative Individuals” grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Jimmy and his daughter Iris Zhao perform as the Jimmy Zhao Chinese Music Ensemble.
