puppeteers of new england

Lollipops for Breakfast!

As part of our 40th Anniversary Season "New Year, New Shows!" Series,  we are so very excited to present the World Premiere of "Lollipops for Breakfast" by Bonnie Duncan of They Gotta Be Secret Agents, running January 31st- February 16th! Bonnie rocked the house in 2013 with her production of "Squirrel Stole My Underpants" and we can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

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SHOW DATES & TIMES:

Saturday, January 31st @ 1:00pm & 3:00pm
Sunday, February 1st @ 1:00 & 3:00pm
Friday, February 6th @ 7:00pm (Nighttime Show!)
Saturday, February 7th @ 1:00pm & 3:00pm
Sunday, February 8th @ 1:00pm & 3:00pm
Saturday, February 14th @ 1:00pm & 3:00pm
Sunday, February 15th @ 1:00pm & 3:00pm
Monday, February 16th @ 10:30am & 1:00pm

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About the Show:

You can't have lollipops for breakfast! Sylvie decides she’s going to break that rule, even if it means she has to make her own amazingly perfect lollipop from scratch. Come along as she and her trusty pet bird search for missing ingredients, wrestle with giant candy machines, and get lost in a magical pop-up cookbook. 'Lollipops for Breakfast' is a wildly imaginative ode to children’s boundless creativity. The performance, told entirely without words, features multiple styles of puppetry, original music, acrobatics, and lots of audience participation.

About They Gotta Be Secret Agents:

They Gotta Be Secret Agents, established in 2007 by Bonnie Duncan and Tim Gallagher, immerse audiences into simply constructed worlds that play with and distort the grand themes of time, scale, formality and reality. Short segments of clowning, dance, puppetry, and theatre flow into one another and spin together touching moments with humorous ones. 

The Agents first show, Poste Restante, toured nationally and internationally and won numerous accolades and standing ovations, including the Austin Critics Table Award for 'Best Touring Show of 2011,' Best of the Fringe & Best Physical Comedy, San Francisco, 2009. Their follow-up show for families, Squirrel Stole My Underpants, has been selling out venues and inspiring kid-made puppet shows up and down the east coast and beyond since 2012.

Bonnie Duncan has blended puppetry, dance, and physical theatre in surprising and delightful ways for the past 14 years. Her work has been described as 'an artful world of silent dreams, mime, and dance' (Austin Live Theatre). She has most recently been working as one half of They Gotta Be Secret Agents with Tim Gallagher. Their show, Poste Restante, continues to tour worldwide, winning 'Best Touring Show of 2011,' Austin, TX; Best of the Fringe, San Francisco, 2009; and a nomination for Most Innovative Show at Prague Fringe Festival. She is currently touring her solo family show, Squirrel Stole My Underpants, throughout the US to delighted audiences. She just celebrated show #100! Prior to her work as a Secret Agent, Bonnie was a company member of Snappy Dance Theater for 8 years, performing sculptural, acrobatic dances nationally and internationally. Her movement was called 'breathtakingly simple' and 'delightfully crafty' by the Boston Globe. When Bonnie is not performing, she is the mother of three young children, an avid runner, and vegan cupcake maker.

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This show is sure to sell quickly so make sure to get your tickets in advance! And as always, don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram @Puppetshowplace and to Like us on Facebook! See you soon, Puppet Friends!

-Katie B, PST Marketing Intern

New Year, New Shows!

Happy New Year, Puppet Friends! We hope you all had a wonderful holiday and a fabulous New Year's Eve! We had the pleasure of performing at First Night Boston, and boy was it a fun time! Parades, Puppet Shows, Fireworks--what an awesome way to kick off 2015. We can't wait to do it next year! Check out our photo album below for a glimpse into all the puppet fun at the Puppet Showplace Theater First Night Puppetry Festival:

We have SO much going on this January to keep you warm and entertained, starting with our great new series titled "New Year, New Shows!" The first production we have on deck is the World Premiere of  "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" by CactusHead Puppets, and it is sure to be a great time!

"The Pied Piper of Hamelin" by CactusHead Puppets
Jan 10-25, 2015

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Show Description: The town of Hamelin has a rat problem, and there's only one person who can help! CactusHead Puppets bring the story of the Pied Piper to life with a cast of colorful characters in this comedic adaptation of the traditional folktale. Not only does the town find a musical solution to pest control, but the kids of Hamelin also teach the grownups a lesson about generosity. In the end, the townspeople all come together in celebration. Join puppeteers John and Megan Regan as they present this classic tale, told with multiple puppetry styles, and plenty of dancing rats!

About CactusHead Puppets:

CactusHead Puppets are known for their playful performance style and exuberant creativity. The West Springfield-based company was founded in 2010 by husband and wife team John and Megan Regan. Since then, they have created six shows based on favorite, familiar folktales and have toured throughout Western New England. John and Megan are both graduates of the University of Connecticut's Puppet Arts program. Megan is originally from the Kansas City area, where she worked with Paul Mesner Puppets. John is from Western Massachusetts, and is honored to be performing in the same libraries where he saw puppet shows growing up. Megan collects pop-up books, and John has a love for giant monster movies. Both John and Megan were interns at Puppet Showplace Theater, and they are excited to return to Boston to share their work as professional puppeteers!

Saturday, January 10th @ 1:00pm & 3:00pm
Sunday, January 11th @ 1:00pm & 3:00pm
Friday, January 16th @ 7:00pm (Evening Show!)
Saturday, January 17th @ 1:00pm & 3:00pm
Sunday, January 18th @ 1:00pm & 3:00pm
Monday, January 19th @ 10:30am & 1:00pm
Saturday, January 24th @ 1:00pm & 3:00pm
Sunday, January 25th @ 1:00pm & 3:00pm
 

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Coming up after that will be the World Premiere of "Lollipops for Breakfast" by Bonnie Duncan of They Gotta Be Secret Agents, running Saturday January 31st through Monday February 16th!

We also have our Winter Session of Puppet Playtime starting on Wednesday, January 21st! Tickets sold out during the last session so get your tickets early!

New Adult Classes are starting this month as well, starting with Character Construction with Artist-in-Residence Brad Shur and many more! Check out our offerings here!

Last but not least, we are SO excited to host our next Puppet SLAM on January 17th @ 8:00pm! This event always sells out so make sure to get your tickets now to ensure an awesome Adults-Only night of Puppet Fun!

We can't wait to see you at all of our fun and festive events this month, stay warm out there Puppet Friends!

-Katie B, PST Marketing Intern :)


 

A Very Special Cinderella Story

Puppeteers of New England

Help us celebrate 40 years at New England's puppet theater with these amazing performances by puppeteers from the Northeast! VIEW CALENDAR

UP NEXT: "A Woodland Cinderella" by Deborah Costine, Puppeteer!
Thur & Fri, June 5 & 6 at 10:30am
Sat, June 7 at 1pm & 3pm

About the Show:   In Deborah Costine's award-winning adaptation of the classic fairy tale, Cinderella is a woodland fairy who lives with her bossy stepmother and cranky stepsister in an enormous old oak tree. When the King of all woodland fairies hosts a great ball and commands that every single fairy maiden in the land must attend, Cinderella braves her fears and shows what it means to be a true princess. Beautifully hand-crafted puppets, interactive storytelling, and nature-inspired scenery make this a fun and memorable production for audiences of all ages. 

About the Performer: Debbie is an artist and naturalist whose mission is to inspire children to appreciate nature. 'A Woodland Cinderella' is her own version of the classic story that takes place in the forest. The show was awarded an UNIMA Citation of Excellence, the highest honor in American puppetry, in 2008. Debbie has also written two original nature stories for puppets: 'The Twig Family in the Oak Tree' and 'Turtle's New Home.' She has designed and performed dozens shows for young audiences since 1974, during which time she has created over 200 puppet characters. www.deborahcostinenaturepuppets.com