"Puppets at Night" is BACK!

Boston-area debut of THE HOARDING SHOW at PST

Fri & Sat | December 9 & 10 | 8pm

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Puppet Showplace Theatre presents “The Hoarding Show” by Carole D’Agostino as part of its newly revived “Puppets at Night” adult series. Performances will take place on Friday and Saturday, December 9-10 @ 8:00 pm. Reservations strongly recommended.

The Hoarding Show is about the clutter we keep, mentally and physically, in our lives. This multi-puppet, one woman show, designed and performed by Carole D’Agostino, features three separate tales of hoarders: the story of the infamous Collyer Brothers told with intricate shadow puppets; a renter facing eviction depicted with miniatures, and an object theatre satire that markets the positive aspects of hoarding. The Hoarding Show will be presented with Trash: A Love Story, an original work by Boston-based artists Woellert & Clark.

Carole D’Agostino is a puppet performer and builder for television, film, and stage. Television: PBS’s SeeMore’s Playhouse, MTV2’s Crank Yankers, IFC’s Greg the Bunny, Noggin’s Upside Down Show. Theater: John Tartaglia’s ImaginOcean, Avenue Q, Shrek! The Musical, The Ohmies, Thomas the Tank Engine Life2, and Arias with a Twist. Web: The Weekly Daily News, Funny of Die: Frank the Horse. She recently appeared at the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Tucker John’s Best Birthday Ever.

Woellert & Clark is a shadow puppet company based in Jamaica Plain. Matthew Woellert and Jonathan Clark grew up together in Columbus, Ohio. In Boston they have performed at The Boston Center for the Arts, Puppet Showplace Theatre, the Democracy Center, and numerous bars and galleries around town.

Tales From Snowy Lands by Sparky's Puppets!

Wed & Thur| Nov 30 & Dec 1| 10:30
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The Winter Season at PST kicks off on Wednesday, November 30th, with Tales From Snowy Lands. Let this show transport you to realm of frosty fun.

About the Show:

Watch a snowman come to life, see a bear go ice fishing and visit a toymaker on a wintry day in this seasonal favorite by Sparky's Puppets.

Restrictions:

Recommended for ages 3 and up.

Winter Is Here

Let The Adventures Begin...

You might not know it with the weather we have been having but maybe your memories of a great Thanksgiving feast this past Thursday let you know, the winter season is upon us!

With that in mind Puppet Showplace Theatre is proud to present our winter season:“ Winter Puppet Adventures.” Puppets? Adventures? Exciting? You bet it is!!!!!! Our winter season will feature not only amazing holiday programing, but also shows featuring puppets from around the world. Now how cool is that?

This season, Puppet Showplace Theatre takes you to snowy lands for holiday fun, then around the globe with stories and puppetry styles from distant cultures. Puppetry is a world-wide art form, and we hope you enjoy this opportunity to explore the terrain. Engage your imaginations! We're ready to fly!

Ever wanted to see Chinese hand puppets? Japanese Noh style masks ? African Trickster Tales? You can experience this and more at PST through the winter. Check out our Calendar for the season on our Website. We offer puppet performances every week on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, with extra shows for the weeks of winter vacation.Lets be honest. It is gonna get cold out there. There is no better way to keep warm and entertained on a chilly day than to snuggle up with those you love and watch a puppet show!

Give the Gift of Puppetry This Holiday Season!

Happy Holidays from PST!

It may be hard to believe, but the Holiday season is upon us. As the fall draws to a close so does our Fall Membership Drive so it seems like the perfect opportunity to remind everyone of this great opportunity to support a wonderful local theater and become a member.

Thinking about gifts for the Holidays? What could be better than the gift of puppet theater for those you love. Gift certificates are available, and Memberships make a great gift as well!

Members enjoy:

Priority Seating

Discounted tickets on all performances and classes.

Complimentary tickets*

Discounts on our puppet store purchases

discounts on birthday party rentals**

New Membership Drive: For anyone becoming a member for the first time, in addition to all the advantages to membership you will be supporting a wonderful nonprofit theater that has been bringing quality theater to children and adults for 37 years. Through November, all new members purchasing membership at the family level or above, will be entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Legal Sea Foods ( one of our wonderful season sponsors).

Already members? Refer someone to become a member and you too will be entered to win. So here's the deal... You need great gifts for the holiday, a membership to Puppet Showplace Theater make a great gift, you will be donating to a worthy nonprofit that provides cultural enrichment to children and adults in the local community, you don't need to wait in line at 12am on friday morning to get it!

HOLIDAY PARTIES! In keeping with the holiday season spirit, this year we are opening the theater for holiday parties. Want to host a holiday party at a truly festive location? Give us a call for more info 617.731.6400

* Number of complimentary tickets varies depending on level of membership

** For family level memberships and above

Thanksgiving Week at PST

RACCOON TALES

|Wed| Nov 23| 10:30am

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JACK & THE BEANSTALK

| Fri| Nov 25| 10:30am & 1:00pm|

| Sat & Sun| Nov 26 & Nov 27| 1:00pm & 2:00pm

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Thanksgiving is almost here! Hope everyone is getting excited for a day of food, fun, family, and friends. And what could be more fun for the holiday than a trip with your loved ones to the Puppet Showplace. This week's schedule is special for Thanksgiving. On Wednesday come on over and watch Raccoon Tales by Artist in Residence Brad Shur. Then come back in the day after Thanksgiving for Spring Valley Puppet Theater's award winning.

Jack and The Beanstalk. For the long weekend we will have shows on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday! In addition, to show our thanks to our members for being a part of our family, members who attend one of our performances of Jack and The Beanstalk will be entered to win a free membership to the Wenham Museum. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

About Jack and the Beanstalk:

Can beans make wishes come true? They can and do in "Jack and the Beanstalk," the award-winning puppet production of Michael Graham's Spring Valley Puppet Theater.

This popular classic features beautifully crafted hand and rod puppets, colorful scenic design, special effects and an original script in which Jack, with the help of a clever Chicken, saves the day! The Spring Valley Puppet Theater production of "Jack and the Beanstalk" holds many surprises in this new approach to this old favorite

recommended for ages 3 and up

For more information on the Spring Valley Puppet Theater visit their website

This Weekend at Puppet Showplace... Snow White & Other Tales by Perry Alley Puppet Theatre

Sat & Sun| Nov 19 & 20| 1:00pm & 3:00pm
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Come To Puppet Showplace this weekend for more fall fairy tales with " Snow White and Other Tales"
presented by Perry Alley Puppet Theater!

About the Show:

Sometimes kids just won't eat their dinner until their food comes to life and tells them a story. In this imaginative production, Dad gets his daughter Trinket to eat her dinner by performing Snow White in a most unusual way. Two other surprise fairy tales by Perry Alley Puppet Theatre will complete this wonderful puppet potpourri!

Restrictions:

Recommended for ages 5 and up

Puppets For Adults!

Sat| Nov 19| 8:00pm

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This coming Saturday, the 19th of November, in addition to our regularly scheduled children's performances PST will present our November " Puppet Slam" featuring Puppet Pandemic! What is a " Puppet Slam?" you may ask. Well let us explain...Too many of people think of puppets as a form of entertainment for children. Well here at PST we ask the question " Why should kids have all the fun?" Adults need puppets too!! In that spirit every other month we bring you our "Puppet Slam," An evening of puppet vignettes designed for an older crowd ( recommended for ages 16 and up). Each piece is performed by a different artist or artists, and the content can be wide-ranging; some are elegant or poignant, others are satiric, irreverent, or humorous, and still others can be passionate, political, or spiritual in nature. If you have never been to a "Slam" before you should know it is really an experience not to be missed. If you are a seasoned "Slam" aficionado you know where you should be this Saturday! for more info and for the schedule of all upcoming slams at PST check out out website. Just a warning, this event tends to sell out so buy your tickets today!!

Coming this week... " Raccoon Tales" by Brad Shur

Wed & Thurs| Nov 16 and 17| 10:30 am

Wed | Nov 23| 10:30 am

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On Wednesday and Thursday Brad Shur, PST's very own artist in residence, presents: Raccoon Tales

Come in and check it out. After all, At The Puppet Showplace we believe no week is complete without a puppet show!

About the Show:

The animals in the forest are always getting into trouble playing tricks on each other. Will they learn their lessons? Three humorous tales inspired by the Native American tales of the Seneca tribe: How the Fox and the Raccoon Trick Each Other; Why the Blue Jay is Blue and the Gray Wolf Isn’t; and, Why the Bear has a Stumpy Tail.

Restrictions:

Recommended for ages 4 and up.

Open House at Puppet Showplace!

1st Light Festival!

Nov 17th, 5pm to 8pm

Brookline's annual 1st Light Festival is coming this Thursday, November 17th. Puppet Showplace is so excited to be a part of the fun again this year!

What is 1st Light? This annual festival in Brookline is a great chance to support local business. The event is full of scavenger hunts, handouts, giveaways, and... Puppet Performances! You can check out the full schedule of the events here.

Open House at PST!

When you come out to the festival, stop by Puppet Showplace for our 1st Light Open House. From 5:00pm to 8:00pm there will be a free puppet show every half hour! Meet the staff and take a look at all of the beautiful puppet displays in the lobby and in the theatre.

Also: Mom.com will be in the lobby at Puppet Showplace with free give aways! They are a super awesome website that provides deals on all kinds of great stuff parents might need. As an added bonus, for every person who signs up for the Mom.com email list, they will donate $2 to Puppet Showplace Theatre! What a great way to support our theater!

Can't make it to the event, but still want to sign up? Click here!

So to recap...Festival , Free Giveaways, Free Puppet Shows... SO MUCH FUN!!

Healing With Arts And Humor

This weekend, in addition to our Puppets Shows we have an amazing event for our adult community:

The Consulate General of Israel to New England and Puppet Showplace Theatre Present: Healing With Humor and Art

A presentation and workshop by Israeli Master Artists Alina Ashbel and Vally Kulas

Saturday Nov 12th

The event is split into to parts including a morning lecture and and afternoon workshop ( limited to 15 participants). Both sections of the event are free! and will be extremely interesting. To find out more and to register, visit our website

While your there check out our other Adult class offerings, and Puppet Slam schedule. Remember, everyone (adults included!) needs puppets in their lives!

This Veterans Day Weekend...The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Coming this Fri, Sat & Sun: more Tucker's Tales!

That's right everybody, this week we have a Tucker's Tales invasion. On Wednesday and Thursday come see "The Goose is Loose." Then on Friday, Saturday and Sunday come out for another dose of Tucker's Tales with "The Sorcerer's Apprentice." Wow, that's five chances to see a puppet show this week at PST How exciting!!!

About the Show:

The castle of an evil magician is a dangerous place for a young boy with uncontrolled curiosity. Our youthful hero must cope with some pretty messy predicaments after he is apprenticed to his wicked master. Can Rusty save the wood-nymphs and overcome the power hungry sorcerer? Will he be able to free the forest from the spell of darkness?

The Brothers Grimm classic fairy tale comes to life on the stage of Tuckers’ Tales Puppet Theatre in this presentation, bringing you about as much fun as you can have in the dungeon of an old castle.

Restrictions: Recommended for ages 5 and up.

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Coming This Week To Puppet Showplace...

This week at puppet showplace a real treat: The Premiere of a new Show

by Tucker's Tales:" The Goose Is Loose"

This wonderful new show by Tucker's Tales, set in the Land of Mother Goose, features beautiful crocheted puppets modeled after the designs of our theater's founder Mary Churchill. A puppet performance not to be missed!

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About the show:

How can Mother Goose have lost her Goose? And where in the land of Nursery Rhymes did she wander? Poor Mother Goose must enlist the aid of her many friends as she seeks to find poor Lucy Goosey. Will her search through the Nursery Rhymes be successful? Can Simple Simon find a simple solution? Is a clue hiding under Miss Muffet’s tuffet?
Join Tuckers’ Tales and many of Nursery Land’s most famous characters as we travel through the beloved Nursery Rhymes of Mother Goose and solve the mystery of Lucy Goosey’s disappearance.

Restrictions:

Recommended for ages 3 and up.

About the Performers:

TUCKERS’ TALES PUPPET THEATRE, the Performing division of Puppet Perceptions, Inc., is a Philadelphia area based performing company founded in 1981. Co-directors Marianne and Tom Tucker have performed at puppet, folk, ethnic and street festivals, and at craft fairs, shopping centers, theaters and schools around the country. Audiences from small children to senior citizens have enjoyed the variety of styles skillfully displayed in their interesting programs.

Check Out Their Website

Hanging Out at the Theater

Even when there are no shows PST is still filled with puppety goodness. Yes thats right, no performances, but Puppet Showplace Theater is open on Fridays. Never been here before? stop in and say hi or check out the puppets for sale in our lobby. As we are doing our office work we are listening to Labyrinth and getting excited for our next puppet show ( Sir George & The Dragon) that starts tomorrow. For those who are not familiar with Labyrinth here is a sample of this amazing Henson Movie from the 80's. You should definitely check it out!

(warning although this movie is for children, there are some parts of the film that are a little scary so it might be best for older children)

Coming This Weekend To The Puppet Showplace...:

Sat & Sun| Nov 6 and 7| 1:00pm &3:00pm

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Thats right! the weekend is here!! Time for another Puppet Show at PST. Coming this weekend:

Sir George & the Dragon by Romper Rhythm & Puppets

About the show:

A fun and exciting medieval tale with Diane’s trademark humor and audience participation to update this classic. The knight Sir George rescues the Princess Petunia from a very hungry baby dragon. No swords here, but Sir George subdues the dragon just the same!

Restrictions:

Recommended for ages 3 and up.

About the Performer:

Diane Kordas has been performing music for children and families since 1992, and puppet shows since 1998. As a registered nurse and later as a mom she started using music and puppets to entertain and educate her patients, friends and family. Today, her classic and original stories with puppets, music, humor and audience participation are enjoyed by children and families at libraries, schools, outdoor events, parties, daycares and preschools throughout New England.

Find out more on her website

Bella Monster at Arts Emerson!

Hi everyone, it's your favorite pink monster reporting from Boston's Theatre District! Tonight I went to see Mabou Mines Dollhouse at Arts Emerson, and it was a BLAST!

They are happy to offer patrons of Puppet Showplace Theatre $5.00 off each ticket when you use

DISCOUNT CODE: PSTDH5

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NOV 01 – 06
Cutler Majestic Theatre

Mabou Mines DollHouse

The production is playing This Week Only—Ending the 9-Year World Tour in Boston! How exciting! This means it is your last chance ever to see the world-renowned reinterpretation of Ibsen’s classic.

“THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE IS SO FASCINATING, THRILLING HERE, CONFOUNDING THERE, THAT IT MUST BE SEEN.”

—THE NEW YORK TIMES

About the show: The dollhouse is a man’s world and only doll-like women, who allow their men to feel grand, can hope to live in it. You may think you’ve seen Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, but acclaimed director and MacArthur Fellow Lee Breuer gives this world of patriarchy and pretense a new twist—the all-powerful male characters are less than 4 ½ feet tall and the women 6 feet tall. Here, Ibsen’s feminism is metaphorically rendered as a parable of scale, and this unusual take on the physical world of the play results in startling insights and unexpected humor. This production is perhaps the most celebrated among a range of experimental, contemporary interpretations of classic works.

Note to parents: This incredibly colorful, energetic, and fantastical production is meant for an adult audience. (and monsters, I had a wonderful time!)

EXTRAS: Post-Performance Discussion with the Cast, Sunday, NOV 6. Following the final performance Sunday @ 2pm, join cast members for a look back on the production’s extraordinary journey.

Enjoy the show!

-Bella :)

The Carrot Salesman by Brad Shur

Coming to PST...

Wed & Thur| Oct 22 and 23 | 10:30am

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Start November with a puppet show!! Coming to the Puppet Showplace this Wednesday and Thursday

" The Carrot Salesman" by Brad Shur our artist in residence

About the Show:

Join Mr. Bunni, the door-to-door vegetable salesman as he journeys beneath the earth, into the sea, and even to outer space in search of new customers. Through his unsuccessful efforts to sell carrots to elephants, jellyfish, moles, and robots, he discovers a way to help all of the animals. This colorful 2D table-top performance features plenty of audience interaction! Recommended for ages 3 and up.

My Day at King Richard's Faire

My name is Stacey Polishook and I am a marketing intern at PST. That's me in the pirate hat :-) From time to time I would like to share with you interesting puppet facts, puppets sighting’s in the community and other puppet fun! So without much ado...My first Puppet Post:

Last weekend I was fortunate enough to attend the last day of King Richard's Faire in western MA. For those of you who don't know, King Richard's is a Renaissance Faire, i.e. a crazy place where

people dress up in renaissance and medieval garb and engage in sword fights, perform juggling acts, sell bodices, potions, and a variety if other medieval wares. Of course another thing your are likely to find at King Richard's is the errant puppet or two, and this year's faire did not disappoint. I saw quite a few people who had brought puppets into their costumes or performances but there were two of note that I wanted to share.

The first was an amusing bit done by a few "doctors" who were carting around an ailing woman and offering "plague shots" to protect against the affliction that had taken down the unfortunate lady.

One arm was a fake and was doctored to look as if it was decaying. Meanwhile, a crow puppet ( activated by her real hand concealed under a blanket) surreptitiously snacked on the the decayed "flesh."The effect was very subtle and extremely effective! (photo right)

The next puppet of note was an amazing

monster/ creature. The operator wrote a costume of fur over his entire body. To enable him to see, the puppeteer's face was slightly exposed with a fencer's mask. This mesh mask was barely visible however due to the long beard and neck of his creature which came up over his back. Controls were hidden under his massive fur costume. The illusion was fantastic. The neck moved very naturally and the mouth of the creature had the ability to open and close.

So there you have it. King Richards Faire is unfortunately closed for the year but will reopen next September. If you missed out this year, here is a video! Enjoy!

New Marionettes at the Puppet Store!

PST has a Puppet Store?

That's right! Puppet Showplace Theatre is not only the center for puppetry arts in New England where you can catch a different puppet show each week, or take a puppet making class. We also have a store where you can take home your very own puppets! The store selection ranges from colorful finger puppets by Mary Meyer to beautiful stage puppets by Folkmanis. There is quite a selection to choose from!

New this week in the Puppet Store are marionettes by Sunny Puppet Company! In addition to favorites including the Ballerina and Wizard marionettes, now we have a Fireman, Clown, baby elephant, baby tiger, baby schnauzer (sooo cute!) and many others!

COMING SOON

We are expecting these awesomely colorful frogs within the next couple of weeks! Sunny marionettes are the perfect way for your little ones to practice and play with marionettes at home. They are designed for little and big hands alike to manipulate and come to life!

Store Hours: Tues through Sun, 10am to 4pm.

FALL IS IN THE AIR...KICK OFF THE YOUR HALLOWEEN FUN THIS WEEK WITH THE MARVELOUS...THE MAGNIFICENT... DR. DOOHICKEY'S MONSTER MACHINE!!!!

Wed & Thurs | Oct 26 and 27 | 10:30am

Sat & Sun| Oct 29 and 30 | 1pm & 3pm

Its getting cold out there and October is nearing its end. Halloween is close at hand...There is no better time to see a puppet show! Come

kick off Halloween week at The Puppet Showplace Theater with a monstrously appropriate puppet production of Doohickey's Monster Machine performed by our artist in residence Brad Shur.

About the show:

Dr. Doohickey thinks that the world would be much more exciting if people were a little more like monsters, don’t you? Join the doctor and his assistant Reginald the Rabbit as they use music, machines and a little magic to bring funny monsters to life.

Restrictions:

Recommended for ages 4 and up.

And kids, don't forget! we want your reviews of Dr. Doohickey!!! So come out, see the show, go to our Facebook Wall and tell us what you thought. You have the chance to become our featured reviewer and have your review posted on our blog. Who knows you you might just start your journalism career right here at PST!

Calling all kids: Puppet Show Reviewers Wanted!

Do you like seeing puppet shows? Are you good at show and tell? Have you ever thought about writing reviews?

…Well, guess what! Puppet Showplace Theater would LOVE to have you review our Halloween week shows!

Here’s the deal:

Step 1. Come out to see Dr. Doohickey’s Monster Machine

Step 2. Write a review of the show. What was the best part of the story? Who was your favorite character? Was the show funny? Scary? Who else might like to see this show? If you want to include a picture or drawing as well, please do!

Step 3. Post your review on our Facebook Wall by Monday October 31st at 5pm

We will select one reviewer to be featured on our website following the show!

Photo by Meredith Pomeroy. Keep an eye out at PST for this awesome red practice puppet who has traveled the world with No Strings International. Thanks to head puppeteer Ronald Binion for letting us borrow him!