Friday Night Adventures for the Whole Family!

NEW! FRIDAY NIGHT ADVENTURES

Have you ever wondered, "How did they do that!?" or "How did they make that?!" Now is your chance to learn the behind-the-scenes tricks of the trade from our roster of New England's top puppeteers.

This summer, the whole family is invited to enjoy outstanding puppet shows on Friday nights and meet the artists after the show! This exciting new series of performances are held on Friday nights in July at 7pm. VIEW SCHEDULE

Pinocchio

by National Marionette Theatre
July 10 at 7pm

Tall Tales: Stories and Songs from Old New England

by Brad Shur and Chris Monti

The Great Red Ball Rescue

by Faye Dupras
July 24 at 7pm

An Arabian Adventure

Tanglewood Marionettes
July 31 at 7pm

Join us for these four exciting titles:

July 10 at 7pm: "Pinocchio" by National Marionette Theatre

July 17 at 7pm: "Tall Tales: Stories and Songs from Old New England" by Brad Shur and Chris Monti 

July 24 at 7pm: "The Great Red Ball Rescue" by Faye Dupras

July 31 at 7pm: "An Arabian Adventure" by Tanglewood Marionettes

Meet the Artists:National Marionette Theatre!

Remember the tale of Pinocchio, the puppet who wanted to become a real boy? Now here's a chance to experience the adventures of Pinocchio in a real live puppet show! Carlo Collodi's epic is a classic example of storytelling at its best. Known for their life-like marionette puppets and beautiful hand-painted scenery, National Marionette Theatre is a fan favorite at Puppet Showplace! Don't miss out on National Marionette Theatre's adaptation of Pinocchio, you'd be
lying if you said you didn't want to come!

Pinocchio 
by National Marionette Theater
Wednesday- Saturday July 8th-11th
Wed-Sat at 10:30 am and 1 pm
Friday Night Adventures: July 10th at 7:00 pm

Pinocchio meeting many new faces on his adventure!

Behind the scenes: NMT gives impromptu lesson in the lobby!

National Marionette Theatre is one of the oldest continually-running marionette companies in the United States. Founded in 1967 by artistic director David A. Syrotiak, this award-winning company has been entertaining audiences around the world with their extraordinary productions for over forty years. NMT is currently run as a family business by brothers David J. Syrotiak and Peter Syrotiak. The company has been twice honored with the prestigious UNIMA award for excellence in puppetry; founder David A. Syrotiak also received the first Paul Vincent Davis Award for excellence, mentorship, and service to the field.

Bella's Summer Adventures: Italia!

Hey Guys!

I am fur-ociously exhausted from a whole week of outer space adventures. Last week I saw a show at Puppet Showplace, went to the planetarium, and ended the week by making an awesome outer space monkey puppet. It was so much fun, and I'm so ready to start this week's adventures. In case you missed it, each week I'll be seeing a puppet show and then traveling around the city finding other awesome things to do that will help me learn even more. Here come Bella's Summer Adventures!

This week I’ll be seeing Pinocchio at Puppet Showplace.  Have you ever heard the story of Pinocchio before? Pinocchio is a traditional Italian story that’s been adapted by the National Marionette Theater and brought here to Brookline. Pinocchio is an important part of Italian culture—he’s one of Italy’s most beloved characters. The coolest part is that Pinocchio is a puppet—just like me! Pinocchio is a traditional Italian story that’s been adapted by the National Marionette Theater and brought here to Brookline. Catch the show to see what happens to him. You’re going to LOVE it!

Pinocchio by National Marionette Theatre

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Carlo Collodi's epic about a puppet who wants to become a real boy is a classic example of storytelling at its best. National Marionette's adaptation is a faithful retelling of this childhood favorite. Follow Pinocchio as he goes on a series of adventures and discovers that only by being truthful, selfless, and kind to others will he realize his dream of becoming a real live boy.

Performed by the National Marionette Theater

DATES AND TIMES:
July 8 @10:30am and 1pm
July 9 @10:30am and 1pm
July 10 @10:30am, 1pm, and 7pm
July 11 @10:30am and 1p

BELLA'S BOSTON ADVENTURES:

Then after we see the show, my friends and I are heading over to Boston’s North End to walk around and see the hub of Italian culture in Boston! There are lots of fun things to do in the North End. We saw the Paul Revere House, ate some delizioso Gelato, and played in the fountain at the Rose Kennedy Greenway. 

It was a great day and I hope that you can share this adventure with me by also visiting the North End. Take a picture of you and your friends in the North End and tag Puppet Showplace on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook so I can see!

Stay tuned, because next week there will be even more adventures, and a very special giveaway!!

~Bella

XOXOXOXOXO (Monster Kisses, of course!)

DIY Puppet Crafts: Monkey Puppet!

 Get ready for our upcoming show "Help Save the Monkey!” with this awesome DIY monkey glove puppet!

"Help Save the Monkey!" by Liz Hara and Marta Mozelle Macrostie
July 1-3 @ 10:30am and 1pm

Make your own monkey puppet, recommended for kids 4 and up!

MATERIALS:

Brown Paper Bags
Colored Paper
Scissors
Coloring utensils (markers, crayons, etc.)
Glue

STEPS:

1.     Using the colored paper, draw and cut out:

A big round oval for the monkey’s tummy
 Two hands
 Two ears
  Two arms
  A face and mouth
A tongue
  And a loooooong tail.

2.     Glue the mouth, tummy, face, and tongue on to the front of the paper bag.

3.     Flip the bag over and glue the tail, ears, and arms on to the back.

4.     Flip the monkey back over and glue the hands on to the front of the arms. Draw the eyes and nose on the monkey using a marker or coloring utensil.

5.     Prop your monkey upright by opening up the bag.

6.     Put on an awesome puppet show using your new monkey puppet.

Bella's Summer Adventures: Outer Space!

Hiya Friends!
It's your favorite, furry and fabulous, friend, Bella Monster and I’m ready for some fun in the sun! This is going to be the best summer yet, I can feel it! You must have heard about our Puppet Adventure Series —we're putting up nine fun and unique shows throughout the summer that will excite and inspire you! 

I'm also going to be going on my own adventures too! Each week I'll be seeing a puppet show and then traveling around the city finding other awesome things to do that will help me learn even more. I'll be posting all about it here on the Puppet News Blog and there will be lots of giveaways so I can share my adventures with you. You can follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to stay updated. Get ready for summer, and get ready for Bella’s Summer Adventures!

To kick off my summer of awesome, I’m starting out by going to see Help Save the Monkey! at Puppet Showplace Theater, where I'm going to learn all about outer space, and a funny little monkey who needs to be rescued.

DATES AND TIMES: 
July 1 @ 10:30am and 1pm
July 2 @ 10:30am and 1pm
July 3 @ 10:30am and 1pm

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Help Save the Monkey! at Puppet Showplace Theater July 1st-3rd

8-year-old Howard and 80-year-old Lillian must rush to save a monkey who is about to land on Earth from outer space. Their unexpected friendship help them overcome obstacles and self-doubts as they travel through tunnels, fly through the air, and sneak past dangerous lasers. But will they make it in time? Find out in this sublimely silly new show featuring skillful puppetry, original music, hilarious dance breaks, and plenty of fake mustaches. 

Performed by Liz Hara and Marta Mozelle Macrostie

BELLA'S BOSTON ADVENTURES

THEN, to learn even MORE about outer space I’m going to take an adventure to outer space myself—at the Museum of Science! This summer the Museum of Science Planetarium in Boston is showing Big Bird’s Adventure: One World, One Sky where you can go on a tour of outer space with your favorite Sesame Street characters! 

And, the best part of this adventure is that you get to go on it too! Yes—that’s right! You and your family can enter to win passes to Big Bird’s Adventure too, so we can both learn about space with my furry monster puppet friends! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to learn about how you can enter!

Finally, to end my adventure I’m going to make my very own DIY Monkey Puppet, just like the one I saw in Help Save the Monkey! at Puppet Showplace. You can make your own too. Check out our DIY Puppet Craft Page to learn how!

Alright, I'm blasting off! See you at the show!

~Bella

p.s. Make sure to check back next week. I'm going to be seeing Pinocchio and learning all about Italian culture!

Abbreviated Box Office Hours

DARK WEEKS BOX OFFICE SCHEDULE

Due to maintenance at the theater, the Box Office will have the following hours June 15-29:

June 15-17: CLOSED

June 18-19: OPEN from 9:30am-4pm

June 20: OPEN from 6pm to 9pm

June 21: OPEN from 1pm to 4pm  

June 22-29: CLOSED

Patrons are invited to purchase tickets on-line or leave a message with the Box Office at 617-731-6400 x 101. We will work to return messages as quickly as possible

Summer Kick-off and Friday Night Adventures!

With the weather pushing 80 degrees, and temperatures forecast in the 90's later this week, we are dreaming of SUMMER PUPPET ADVENTURES! on our Mainstage. Save the date for our FREE Summer Kick-Off event on July 3rd from 11:30am to 3:00pm. Enjoy free puppet making activities and complimentary frozen treats as we launch our summer series. Performances of "Help Save the Monkey" on July 3 are at 10:30am and 1pm. (Tickets: $12/General Admission, $8/Members)

Help Save the Monkey!

by Liz Hara and Marta Mozelle Macrosti
Wed July 1 - Fri July 3 at 10:30am & 1pm

Pinocchio

by National Marionette Theatre
Wed July 8 - Sat July 11 at 10:30am & 1pm
Fri July 10 at 7pm

Tall Tales

by Brad Shur and Chris Monti
Wed July 15 - Sat July 18 at 10:30am & 1pm
Fri July 17 at 7pm

The Great Red Ball Rescue

by Faye Dupras
Wed July 22 - Sat July 25 at 10:30am & 1pm
Fri July 24 at 7pm

An Arabian Adventure

by Tanglewood Marionettes
Wed July 29 - Sat August 1 at 10:30am & 1pm
Fri July 31 at 7pm

FRIDAY NIGHT ADVENTURES

This summer, the whole family is invited to enjoy outstanding puppet shows on Friday nights and meet the artists after the show! This exciting new series of performances are held on Friday nights in July at 7pm. Shows include:

July 10 at 7pm: "Pinocchio" by National Marionette Theatre

July 17 at 7pm: "Tall Tales: Stories and Songs from Old New England" by Brad Shur and Chris Monti 

July 24 at 7pm: "The Great Red Ball Rescue" by Faye Dupras

July 31 at 7pm: "An Arabian Adventure" by Tanglewood Marionettes

Puppets at Night for the Whole Family!

There is sooooo much happening at Puppet Showplace this summer! There's something for the whole family, from  summer camps, to classes,  mainstage Summer Puppet Adventures, and of course Puppets at Night!! 

Puppets at Night is Puppet Showplace Theater’s performance series for adult and teen audiences. These evening performances explore thought-provoking topics and showcase an astonishing array of puppetry styles. Performers have included acclaimed internationally-touring companies, stars of the fringe circuit, and emerging artists. 

This June you can catch Billy the Liar, by TOYBOX Theatre— an award winning show that's making its New England premiere here at Puppet Showplace! While this show is part of our Puppets at Night series, it's a show that the whole family can enjoy, as we recommend it for everyone ages 8 and up!

ABOUT THE SHOW:
What happens when you tell a lie? Find out in this absurdist comedy adventure from the zany and twisted minds of TOYBOX Theatre and Cripps Puppets. "Billy the Liar" follows the adventures of Billy and his friend Suzy, as Billy tells more and more lies and gets into deeper and deeper trouble. Two puppeteers and a musician bring this outrageous story to life with Czech-style marionettes, rod puppets, over-sized toy theatre, and found objects.

DATES AND TIMES:
Saturday June 20 @ 8pm
Sunday June 21 @ 3pm

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
TOYBOX Theatre (founded by Keith Shubert) and Cripps Puppets (founded by Madison Cripps) are known for producing innovative and irreverent contemporary puppetry. Together with musician and performance artist Valerie Meiss (www.tinywonder.org), they created the acclaimed production “Billy the Liar” in 2011. Since then, they have performed across the country at venues as diverse as the New Orleans Fringe Festival, the National Puppetry Festival, and The Detroit Institute of Arts. The production is the 2014 recipient of the prestigious UNIMA-USA Citation of Excellence, and was voted “Best Performance” and “Fan Favorite” at the 2013 National Puppetry Festival. Keith and Madison are also the co-founders and hosts of the Wham Bam Puppet Slam in Asheville, North Carolina are considered a powerful force in the American puppet slam movement.

Check out the New England Premier of Billy the Liar June 20th, and 21st!

Hansel & Gretel

Happy Friday, Puppet Fans! This weekend we’re psyched to present you with Hansel and Gretel. This classic story by  the Tanglewood Marionettes uses beautiful large-scale marionettes to tell the story of a  brother and sister lost in the woods. The Tanglewood Marionettes have been in operation for over 20 years, and have been all over the country presenting their pieces to kids of all ages! Not only are they performing Hansel and Gretel, but they're also coming back this summer with Arabian Adventures, so stay tuned!

Hansel and Gretel by Tanglewood Marionettes

ABOUT THE SHOW:
 "Hansel and Gretel" is a riveting adventure story about a brother and sister who get lost in the woods. In this original adaptation, each sibling has a different strength, but they must learn to work together if they want to get back home. Large-scale puppets, intricate scenery, and an exciting musical score will amaze audiences of all ages and inspire kids to get creative when faced with big challenges!

DATES AND TIMES:
Saturday, June 6 @ 1pm and 3pm
Sunday, June 7 @ 1pm and 3pm

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Founded in 1993 by Peter and Anne Schaefer, Tanglewood Marionettes is a nationally touring marionette company whose unique productions have been seen by hundreds of thousands of children and families across the country. With seven shows currently in their repertoire, the company performs year-round at venues ranging from school assemblies to renowned cultural institutions. 

Performer Peter Schaefer was born into a Boston-area family of puppeteers and has visited Puppet Showplace since he was a child. After apprenticing with the Bennington Puppets, Peter launched his own company, “Mountain Marionettes,” before joining with Anne Schaefer and fellow Bennington puppeteer Stephen Hancock to form Tanglewood Marionettes.

Hansel and Gretel by Tanglewood Marionettes

Performer Jennifer Tebo discovered her love of puppetry while pursuing a degree in Theater and Classical Studies at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. She has been touring with Tanglewood Marionettes since 2004 and plans to spend a lifetime in puppetry.
The company has received two UNIMA awards, puppetry's highest honor, for their productions An Arabian Adventure and The Dragon King.

Tanglewood Marionettes believes above all that a performance is a communal experience, with connections established not only with the performers, but also between members of the audience themselves as they laugh together, gasp together, and cheer together when the good guys prevail!

A Band of Merry Heroes!

Happy June, Puppet Fans!  We have an awesome show coming up this week and next week performed by our very own Resident Artist, Brad Shur! 

Brad has been the Resident Artist at Puppet Showplace Theater for the past  6 years. In addition to performing original pieces like Robin Hood at the theater, he also goes on tour, performing for schools, libraries, and other venues throughout the region!  Brad also teaches classes here at Puppet Showplace, and makes all of his puppets himself, using materials like wood, foam, fabric, paper and plastic

Robin Hood by Brad Shur

ABOUT THE SHOW:
Explore the wilds of Sherwood Forest in this rollicking retelling of the classic tale! When Robin discovers that the Sheriff of Nottingham is up to no good, he sees his chance to fight back and fulfill his dream of becoming a hero. Of course, he'll need a little help from his friends. Join Maid Marion, Little John, and a mischievious deer with excellent taste in clothes on a medieval mission to save the forest. Featuring hilarious dialogue, original music, and beautifully-crafted costumes and scenery.

DATES AND TIMES:
Thursday, June 4th @ 10:30am
Friday, June 5th @ 10:30am
Thursday, June 11th @ 10:30am
Friday, June 12th @ 10:30am
Saturday, June 13th @ 1pm and 3pm
Sunday, June 14th @ 1pm and 3pm

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Brad Shur is a versatile puppeteer who has created and performed characters made of everything from pixels to papier mache. As the Resident Artist at Puppet Showplace Theater he performs regularly and teaches puppetry classes to students of all ages, Pre-K to adult. As protégé of master puppeteer Paul Vincent Davis, Shur trained extensively in glove puppetry and currently performs two of Davis’ classic shows at venues across New England. "Robin Hood" was Shur's first original glove puppet show. Shur’s other original works include "The Carrot Salesman," "Dr. Doohickey and the Monster Machine," "Tall Tales! Stories and Songs from Old New England" and "The Magic Soup and Other Stories," featured at the Puppeteers of America National Festival 2013. Prior to becoming the Resident Artist at Puppet Showplace, Shur toured the country as a performer with Big Nazo (Rhode Island), Wood & Strings Theatre (Tennessee) and The PuppeTree (Vermont). As a builder Shur has designed and fabricated puppets for American Idol, Dollywood, Avenue Q, and the U.S.S. Constitution Museum. He is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design.

We love this show and we're excited to share it with you!

Keep Your Adventures Big, and Your Heroes Tiny

Spring is flying by, and we're psyched to present  Every Hero Has A Story this weekend at Puppet Showplace Theater by Sparky's Puppets. This lively show tells the story of a series of unexpected little heroes—a mouse, a kitten, and a rabbit. These brave critters defy dragons, defeat goblins, and dare to travel into outer space! There's only 3 more shows this Spring until we start our Summer Puppet Adventures—as much as we're looking forward to summer, we'll sure miss our Tiny Heroes.

From Every Hero Has a Story 

ABOUT THE SHOW:
You never know who will save the day: it’s not always the biggest and strongest!  This show is a lively collection of tales about some surprising heroes.  Watch a tiny mouse rescue a huge lion.  Follow the adventures of a brave kitten who travels to the moon to solve some puzzling riddles. See how a clever rabbit outwits a pesky goblin.  And discover an unexpected character who proves to be “the greatest of all.” Kids will love the funny voices and very silly storytelling in this highly interactive show!

DATES AND TIMES:
Thursday, May 28th @ 10:30am
Friday, May 29th @ 10:30am
Saturday, May 30th @ 1pm and 3pm
Sunday, May 31st @ 1pm and 3pm

This show was created by Sparky’s Puppets to go with this year’s summer reading theme. Sparky’s Puppets, created by Kathleen “Sparky” Davis is a New England group that’s been around for 35 years! That’s almost as long as Puppet Showplace has been around! We are so excited to welcome Sparky’s Puppets back to the theater this week.

ABOUT THE PUPPETEER:
Kathleen “Sparky” Davis began dramatizing stories with hand puppets while working as a children's librarian. Since 1980, Sparky's Puppets have delighted children and family audiences at schools, libraries and festivals throughout New England. Every summer, Sparky creates a special show for the Rhode Island statewide public libraries' summer reading program.

Sparky loves to see children's reactions to their favorite stories brought to life with endearing puppet characters. She is known for her quick wit and hilarious sense of humor. A preschool child at a recent show was heard to say. "It was so funny I burst out laughing!"

And the Award Goes to...

Puppet Showplace Theater is buzzing with excitement for our Carnival of Wonders Gala! We've all been working so hard in preparation for June 2nd —including Roxie Myhrum, our Artistic Director who is planning an amazing night for you!  

Roxie, Artistic Director since 2010, is in charge of creating our season. She selects puppet shows from across the globe to bring professional, high-quality puppeteers to our theater!  The Artists' Fund supports these performers as they travel from places like Montreal, Atlanta, and Ohio. Last season we featured the Frisch Marionette's of Cincinatti and Hobey Ford from North Carolina! This summer you can catch Hiawatha by Catskill Puppet Theatre (New York) and The Swan by Le Théâtre de Deux Mains (Quebec)!

We are honored to present this  The Creative Leadership Award to author and puppeteer, Sarah Lamstein. This annual award is given each year to a member of the community who exhibits Puppet Showplace Theater’s dedication to inspiring creativity in the community. 

Paul Vincent Davis, Puppet Showplace Theater Artist in Residence Emeritus

During the evening, we will also present the Paul Vincent Davis Award to Eric Bass and Ines Zeller, the founders of Sandglass Theater, to recognize their decades of excellence, mentorship and service to the puppetry community. Named after our former Artist in Residence, this annual award recognizes puppeteers from New England who demonstrate artistic excellence, mentorship, and service to the puppetry community! Paul Vincent Davis is one of America's most renowned glove puppeteers and he and Mary Churchill, our founder, worked tirelessly to establish a puppetry community in New England. We’re proud to honor him as the namesake and inspiration for this award. 

Letter from Roxie...

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Our 40th Anniversary Season has been a whirlwind of activity! What better way to celebrate than to gather together New England's best puppeteers in one of Brookline's most beautiful settings for a night of food, fun, and fundraising. 

Our gala is the only place you and your family can experience dozens of awe-inspiring puppetry performances in a joyous carnival atmosphere, all in a single night. Performances take place across the grounds of the George H. Wightman mansion, and are designed for audiences of all ages. Children under 10 attend for free! 

Our gala is the only place you can experience dozens of awe-inspiring performances in a joyous carnival atmosphere, all in a single night. We'll also enjoy exquisite cuisine catered by one of my favorite restaurants, The Fireplace.

I'm thrilled to announce that many distinguished leaders will also be in attendance to lend their support to our cause. Michael and Kitty Dukakis, former Governor and First Lady of Massachusetts, are Gala Chairs, along with other distinguished cultural leaders and philanthropists. View List of Gala VIPs. 

Carnival of Wonders will be emceed by Emmy Award-Winning A&E Critic Joyce Kulhawick.(JoycesChoices.com) Joyce has inspired all of us in the arts community with her incredible leadership and advocacy work, and I am thrilled she is now lending her support to our cause. 

I hope you will join us for this unforgettable evening, and that you will be inspired to give generously to make our 41st season the best it can be!

Roxie Myhrum

Sincerely,

Roxie Myhrum
Artistic Director

Make A Donation

RSVP to the Gala

Support the Mary Churchill Memorial Fund!

We are soooo excited for our Carnival of Wonders Gala event coming up on June, 2nd! There's going to be delicious food provided by The Fireplace,  puppetry performances, live music, and lots of amazing carnival fare!  Rebecca Shultzberg,  Board Trustee and Gala Committee Chair, is particularly passionate about one of our  fundraising initiatives: the Mary Churchill Memorial Fund (MCMF).

School funded by the MCMF with CactusHead Puppets, Jan 2015

Named after the founder of Puppet Showplace Theater, the MCMF raises money to bring over 1,000 students from low-income backgrounds to the theater by providing them free or subsidized tickets.  Mary Churchill was a performer, administrator, and educator who saw puppetry as a beautiful way to stimulate kids’ creativity. This memorial fund allows for all kids, regardless of their socio-economic background, to engage with the world of puppetry and live-performance art. 

Dear Friends,

The warming temperatures have my family dreaming about summer nights!  We are especially looking forward to June 2nd, when Puppet Showplace will celebrate the beginning of our 41st season. All proceeds help fund the future of our fantastic arts organization! 

Carnival of Wonders, our family-friendly fundraiser, will feature puppet stages and carnival fare spread throughout the grounds of the George H. Wightman Mansion in Brookline, MA. A silent auction, tantalizing food and special surprises guarantee a night of wonder and amazement!

One of the fundraising initiatives for this event is the Mary Churchill Memorial Fund which provides opportunities for underserved children to attend performances at the theater. An average of 1,000 students a year attend shows at Puppet Showplace by using this fund. The fund is made possible by contributions from generous patrons, members, donors and Gala attendees.

Mark your calendars and join my family in supporting this worthy fund. See you at the Gala!

Rebecca and her family.

Sincerely,
Rebecca Shultzberg
Board Trustee and Gala Committee Chair

Make A Donation

RSVP to the Gala

Bringing Sesame Street to Station Street this Memorial Day Weekend !

Happy Memorial Day! We’re hoping for lots of sunshine this weekend as we remember our nation’s heroes. Here at Puppet Showplace Theater we’re also celebrating heroes— tiny ones! This weekend, as part of our Tiny Heroes series, "The Reluctant Dragon," by All Hands Productions opens and we’re so excited! In this not-so-average fairytale, a quirky book-loving princess saves the day all by herself! We're thrilled to share David Stephens' hilarious show with you! Did you know that he performed on Sesame Street?

ABOUT THE SHOW:
Princess Penelope loves to read about dragons. Imagine her surprise when she actually meets one! When the much-touted dragon slayer Sir Reginald Thwebes arrives in the castle, King Rhubarb calls upon him to fight the fearsome beast. The Princess has to think quickly to save her friend. Will it be a fight to the death? Will it be a draw? Will they even fight at all? Find out in this hilarious performance featuring magnificent moving-mouth puppets, elaborate medieval costumes, and many very creative ways to hide a pet dragon.

SHOW DATES AND TIMES:
Thursday, May 21st @ 10:30 am
Friday, May 22nd @ 10:30 am
Saturday, May 23rd @ 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm
Sunday, May 24th @ 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm
Monday, May 25th @ 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
David Stephens is the creator of All Hands Productions, a puppet company that, for over a decade, has been dedicated to developing and presenting quality puppet theater for audiences of all ages. David has toured his seven popular productions to theaters, schools, libraries, and festivals throughout the United States and Canada. His show, “Billy Goats Gruff and Other Stuff” was awarded the prestigious UNIMA-USA Citation of Excellence in 2005 (the equivalent of an Oscar in the puppetry world).

David Performing on Sesame Street

 In addition to creating original works, David has also been a puppeteer for the Jim Henson Company and has been a Muppet performer on “Sesame Street.” He also performed numerous characters in the live production of Emmet Otter at the Goodspeed Opera House. David is a graduate of Troy University and the University of Connecticut’s Puppet Arts program (MA 2001). Originally from Alabama, he now resides in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition his work as a puppeteer, David is also an accomplished banjo player. For more information visit www.allhandsproductions.com andwww.davidstephensbanjo.com 
“The Reluctant Dragon” was funded in part by a 2008 Jim Henson Foundation Family Grant

Here are some photo's from David's work on Sesame Street, Emmet Otter, and SeeMore's Playhouse!  

 (www.allhandsproductions.com)

So many Tiny Heroes!

Hey there Puppet Friends! Spring is here, birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and we are in the LAST series of our 40th Anniversary Season! Boy, how time flies. Our "Tiny Heroes" started off with a bang with Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers' productions of "The Legend of Banana Kid" and "Everybody Loves Pirates", which were SO much fun we are still recovering! And now we have SEVEN more shows for you to round out the series, starting off this week with "The Emperor's New Clothes" by Magpie Puppets!

Show Description: Kids learn to speak up for what’s right in this fun and highly interactive show. The Emperor has so many outfits that he orders all the shops and schools in the kingdom to close so that he’ll have more space to store his wardrobe. Two brave tailors, Greta and Rebecca, outwit the vain Emperor to save their country from ruin. Audience members help fool the Emperor’s assistant by inventing an imaginary outfit, then everyone teaches the Emperor a lesson by questioning him at the Royal Press Conference! Children will enjoy the show’s many colorful characters and silly adaptations of courtly behavior.

SHOW DATES & TIMES:
Thursday, April 30th @ 10:30am 
Friday, May 1st @ 10:30am
Saturday, May 2nd @ 1pm & 3pm
Sunday, May 3rd @ 1pm & 3pm

PURCHASE TICKETS!

About the Performer: Maggie Whalen is the creator of Magpie Puppets, a one-woman puppet theater based in Stoneham, Massachusetts. She has been creating and performing puppet shows for children since 1969. In 1971, she founded and directed Poor People’s Puppets in NYC, which performed in its own storefront theater from 1971-1974. In addition to performing, Maggie has taught puppet-making workshops at schools, community centers and at Club Med Mini-Clubs in the Caribbean. She builds customized puppets for theater, film, and individuals as well. She is a member of the Boston Area Guild of Puppetry and Puppeteers of America. 
Recommended for ages 3-6. Very gentle, silly, and interactive.

Coming up immediately after that will be the quintessential tiny hero: "Jack and the Beanstalk" by Spring Valley Puppets...

Show Description: Can a boy outwit a giant? Can beans make wishes come true? They can and do in this award-winning puppet production! When Jack trades the family cow for a few magic beans — which grow into a beanstalk overnight — he climbs it to find adventure and fortune. Along the way he meets a feisty and funny chicken, a magic singing harp, and one real rat of a giant. 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! 

SHOW DATES & TIMES:
Thursday, May 7th @ 10:30am *SOLD OUT!*
Friday, May 8th @ 10:30am
Saturday, May 9th @ 1pm & 3pm
Sunday, May 10th @ 1pm & 3pm

PURCHASE TICKETS!

About the Performer: Michael Graham has performed with puppets since he was a young boy. He founded the Spring Valley Puppet Theater in 1977. Since then, he has performed throughout New England, primarily for schools and libraries. His work has been featured numerous times at regional and national festivals of the Puppeteers of America, and he is a recipient of the prestigious UNIMA citation of excellence. Michael designs and makes all of his puppets by hand, writes his own scripts, creates the scenery, and performs many of the voices. He graduated from Western Connecticut State College with a degree in Elementary Education and Spanish, and has created many bilingual adaptations of folk tales. Michael has been a guest instructor at the University of Connecticut Puppet Arts program, the Institute of Professional Puppetry Arts (IPPA) at the O'Neill Theatre Center, and has presented casting and hand puppet construction workshops for puppetry guilds in Connecticut and Massachusetts. 
Recommended for everyone ages 4 and up. 

What's next, you ask? Why, it's the classic tales of "The Three Billy Goats Gruff and The Lion and the Mouse" by Pumpernickel Puppets! You don't want to miss this one...

Show Description: Two classic tales make up this wonderful show. In 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff,' the quick-witted billy goats outsmart the troll, but the troll isn’t really mean – he’s just green, has a snaggletooth, and lives under a bridge. In 'The Lion and the Mouse,' two unlikely friends – one very big and one very small – learn to help each other to solve their problems. Both tales are told with colorful, friendly hand puppets and lots of audience interaction. 

SHOW DATES & TIMES:
Thursday, May 14th @ 10:30am *SOLD OUT!*
Friday, May 15th @ 10:30am
Saturday, May 16th @ 1pm & 3pm
Sunday, May 18th @ 1pm & 3pm

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About the Performer: The Pumpernickel Puppets are the creation of John McDonough of Worcester, Massachusetts. John was four years old when he saw his first puppet show, and he immediately knew that he wanted to be a puppeteer. By his teens, John was presenting shows all over the New England area. The Pumpernickel Puppets have had the honor of appearing at The Puppet Showplace Theatre, Boston Children’s Museum, The Institute of Professional Puppetry Arts at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center, The Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., The Cultural Olympiad at The Center For Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia, and the prestigious International Festival of Puppet Theatre sponsored by the Jim Henson Foundation at the Joseph Papp Public Theatre in New York. For each production, John creates and performs all of his own puppets, which range from small hand puppets to larger-than-life figures.
 

Next up is the hilarious tale of "The Reluctant Dragon" by All Hand Productions. This is truly a special show, funded in part by the Jim Henson fund!

Show Description: Princess Penelope loves to read about dragons. Imagine her surprise when she actually meets one! When the much-touted dragon slayer Sir Reginald Thwebes arrives in the castle, King Rhubarb calls upon him to fight the fearsome beast. The Princess has to think quickly to save her friend. Will it be a fight to the death? Will it be a draw? Will they even fight at all? Find out in this hilarious performance featuring magnificent moving-mouth puppets, elaborate medieval costumes, and many very creative ways to hide a pet dragon.

SHOW DATES & TIMES:
Thursday, May 21st @ 10:30am
Friday, May 22nd @ 10:30am
Saturday, May 23rd @ 1pm & 3pm
Sunday, May 24th @ 1pm & 3pm

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About the Performer: David Stephens is the creator of All Hands Productions, a puppet company that, for over a decade, has been dedicated to developing and presenting quality puppet theater for audiences of all ages. David has toured his seven popular productions to theaters, schools, libraries, and festivals throughout the United States and Canada. His show, 'Billy Goats Gruff and Other Stuff' was awarded the prestigious UNIMA-USA Citation of Excellence in 2005 (the equivalent of an Oscar in the puppetry world).

In addition to creating original works, David has also been a puppeteer for the Jim Henson Company and has been a Muppet performer on 'Sesame Street.' He also performed numerous characters in the live production of Emmet Otter at the Goodspeed Opera House. David is a graduate of Troy University and the University of Connecticut’s Puppet Arts program (MA 2001). Originally from Alabama, he now resides in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition his work as a puppeteer, David is also an accomplished banjo player. For more information visit www.allhandsproductions.com andwww.davidstephensbanjo.com. Recommended for everyone ages 4 and up. This show was funded in part by a 2008 Jim Henson Foundation Family Grant.

Had enough heroes yet? Neither have we! Here comes "Every Hero Has a Story" by Sparky's Puppets, an adorable tale that's perfect to kick off your summer!

Show Description: You never know who will save the day: it’s not always the biggest and strongest! This show is a lively collection of tales about some surprising heroes. Watch a tiny mouse rescue a huge lion. Follow the adventures of a brave kitten who travels to the moon to solve some puzzling riddles. See how a clever rabbit outwits a pesky goblin. And discover an unexpected character who proves to be 'the greatest of all.' Kids will love the funny voices and very silly storytelling in this highly interactive show!

SHOW DATES & TIMES:
Thursday, May 28th @ 10:30am
Friday, May 29th @ 10:30am
Saturday, May 30th @ 1pm & 3pm
Sunday, May 31st @ 1pm & 3pm

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About the Performer: Kathleen 'Sparky' Davis began dramatizing stories with hand puppets while working as a children's librarian. Since 1980, Sparky's Puppets have delighted children and family audiences at schools, libraries and festivals throughout New England. Every summer, Sparky creates a special show for the Rhode Island statewide public libraries' summer reading program.
Sparky loves to see children's reactions to their favorite stories brought to life with endearing puppet characters. She is known for her quick wit and hilarious sense of humor. A preschool child at a recent show was heard to say.'It was so funny I burst out laughing!'
Recommended for ages 3-6. 

Coming up after Sparky's Puppets is our incredibly talented Resident Artist Brad Shur's original show, "Robin Hood"This show has been so popular in the past we are running it for TWO weeks this time, so make sure you reserve your chance to get a piece of the action!

Show Description: Explore the wilds of Sherwood Forest in this rollicking retelling of the classic tale! When Robin discovers that the Sheriff of Nottingham is up to no good, he sees his chance to fight back and fulfill his dream of becoming a hero. Of course, he'll need a little help from his friends. Join Maid Marion, Little John, and a mischievous deer with excellent taste in clothes on a medieval mission to save the forest. Featuring hilarious dialogue, original music, and beautifully-crafted costumes and scenery.

SHOW DATES & TIMES:
Thursday, June 4th @ 10:30am
Friday, June 5th @ 10:30am
Thursday, June 11th @ 10:30am
Friday, June 12th @ 10:30am
Saturday, June 13th @ 1pm & 3pm
Sunday, June 14th @ 1pm & 3pm

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About the Performer: Brad Shur is a versatile puppeteer who has created and performed characters made of everything from pixels to papier mache. As the Artist in Residence at Puppet Showplace Theatre he performs regularly and teaches puppetry classes to students of all ages, Pre-K to adult. As protégé of master puppeteer Paul Vincent Davis, Shur trained extensively in glove puppetry and currently performs two of Davis’ classic shows at venues across New England. 'Robin Hood' is Shur's first original glove puppet show. Shur’s other original works include 'The Carrot Salesman,' 'Dr. Doohickey and the Monster Machine,' 'The Yankee Peddler: Stories and Songs from Old New England' and 'The Magic Soup and Other Stories,' featured at the Puppeteers of America National Festival 2013. Prior to becoming the Artist in Residence at Puppet Showplace, Shur toured the country as a performer with Big Nazo (Rhode Island), Wood & Strings Theatre (Tennessee) and The PuppeTree (Vermont). As a builder Shur has designed and fabricated puppets for American Idol, Dollywood, Avenue Q, and the U.S.S. Constitution Museum. He is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design.

Last up, we've got the ever popular Tanglewood Marionettes back in town for their gorgeous production of "Hansel & Gretel"! This exquisite show is not to be missed, and is the perfect finale for our "Tiny Heroes" Series!

Show Description: 'Hansel and Gretel' is a riveting adventure story about a brother and sister who get lost in the woods. In this original adaptation, each sibling has a different strength, but they must learn to work together if they want to get back home. Large-scale puppets, intricate scenery, and an exciting musical score will amaze audiences of all ages and inspire kids to get creative when faced with big challenges!

SHOW DATES & TIMES, TWO DAYS ONLY!
Saturday, June 6th @ 1pm & 3pm
Sunday, June 7th @ 1pm & 3pm

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About the Performer: Founded in 1993 by Peter and Anne Schaefer, Tanglewood Marionettes is a nationally touring marionette company whose unique productions have been seen by hundreds of thousands of children and families across the country. With seven shows currently in their repertoire, the company performs year-round at venues ranging from school assemblies to renowned cultural institutions. Performer Peter Schaefer was born into a Boston-area family of puppeteers and has visited Puppet Showplace since he was a child. After apprenticing with the Bennington Puppets, Peter launched his own company, “Mountain Marionettes,” before joining with Anne Schaefer and fellow Bennington puppeteer Stephen Hancock to form Tanglewood Marionettes. Performer Jennifer Tebo discovered her love of puppetry while pursuing a degree in Theater and Classical Studies at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. She has been touring with Tanglewood Marionettes since 2004 and plans to spend a lifetime in puppetry. The company has received two UNIMA awards, puppetry's highest honor, for their productions An Arabian Adventure and The Dragon King. Tanglewood Marionettes believes above all that a performance is a communal experience, with connections established not only with the performers, but also between members of the audience themselves as they laugh together, gasp together, and cheer together when the good guys prevail!

Here Comes April Vacation Week!

Can you believe April Vacation Week is upon us already? Where did the time go? Well, at least we've finally got sunshine and blue skies to replace all that yucky snow, and we've got some GREAT puppet shows to go with it! This week we've got TWO shows for you, both by the amazing Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers: the hilarious "The Legend of the Banana Kid" and the hugely popular "Everybody Loves Pirates"!  And with titles like those, how can you resist??

"The Legend of the Banana Kid" Show Dates & Times:
Tuesday, April 21st @ 10:30am & 1pm
Wednesday, April 22nd @ 10:30am & 1pm
Thursday, April 23rd @ 10:30am & 1pm

Show Description: Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers are back in Boston with the inspiring story of a young kid with a big imagination who saves the day! Little Chucky loves to watch TV Westerns. One day, he meets a mysterious cowboy who takes him to a remote town that is being harassed by a seedy group of outlaws. Chucky, pretending to be a local hero, rides into town on his trusty goat, outsmarts the bad guys, and brings justice back to the people... using bananas as his weapon of choice! Three puppeteers and over a dozen handmade puppet characters will have you cheering on the little guy in this hilarious adventure tale!

Recommended for everyone age 4 and up. Funny, lighthearted adventure story.

PURCHASE TICKETS!

"Everybody Loves Pirates" Show Dates & Times:
Friday, April 24th @ 10:30am & 1pm
Saturday, April 25th @ 1pm & 3pm
Sunday, April 26th @ 1pm & 3pm

Show Description: Eight-year-old Lucy and her goofy pal Little Chucky are searching for buried treasure, but a gang of bumbling pirates keeps getting in the way! The kids get some help from their new ocean-dwelling friends, including enthusiastic superhero Lobster Boy, his reluctant sidekick Crabby, and an overgrown sea monkey. 'Everybody Loves Pirates' features 15 hand-crafted mouth and rod puppets, and an 8 foot paper-mache pirate ship. Don't miss this swashbuckling adventure that’s fun for the whole family!

About the Performers: Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers, founded in 2000, is a puppetry troupe based in Bar Harbor, Maine, and comprised of three siblings - Erik and Brian Torbeck and Robin (Torbeck) Erlandsen. The traveling trio has performed their original productions at fairs, festivals, theatres, schools, libraries, and some of the finest petting zoos across the United States and Canada. They write and create all the shows they perform and have received three Citations of Excellence from UNIMA-USA, the highest national award in puppetry. In addition to 'Everybody Loves Pirates,' their repertoire includes 'The Legend of the Banana Kid' and 'The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow.'

Recommended for everyone age 4 and up. Funny, lighthearted adventure story.

PURCHASE TICKETS!

These two hilarious shows kick off our 40th Anniversary Season "Tiny Heroes" Series, and are sure to be a favorite for all ages. This new series features stories of all different kinds of heroes from "Jack and the Beanstalk", to "The Reluctant Dragon", and even "Robin Hood"! Check out all of our offerings during our Tiny Heroes series HERE!

See you soon, Puppet People! :)
 

Let's go on an African Adventure!

Are you enjoying this beautiful Spring weather? Are you feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to take on the world? Then how about coming along with us on an adventure, when Crabgrass Puppet Theatre presents "African Adventure Tales"! This is the last show in our "Puppets Around the World" series and is sure to be a great event, perfect for sunshine and warmth!

ABOUT THE SHOW:
Two funny folktales from Africa come to life in this vibrant new production. In 'Koi and the Kola Nuts,' the youngest son of a tribal chief only receives one small kola nut tree as an inheritance instead of his father's riches. On his travels, he meets a snake, a crocodile, and a colony of ants, all in desperate need of the one thing Koi has: kola nuts. Koi's kindness to the creatures he meets is later rewarded when their help saves his life! Then, 'Anansi and the Talking Melon' features the irrepressible trickster Anansi the Spider who is lazy, greedy and out only for himself. Anansi eats his way into a melon and, finding himself too full to get back out, fools the other animals into believing that the melon itself can talk! Spectacular scenery and catchy music make this a must-see performance.

SHOW DATES & TIMES:
Thursday, April 16th @ 10:30am
Friday, April 17th @ 10:30am
Saturday, April 18th @ 1pm & 3pm
Sunday, April 19th @ 1pm & 3pm
 

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS:
Jamie Keithline and Bonny Hall formed Crabgrass Puppet Theatre in San Francisco in 1982 and have delighted audiences across the nation with their whimsical humor and puppetry ever since. Their performing venues have included the Detroit Institute of Art, the Smithsonian, Paper Mill Playhouse, Tribeca Performing Arts Center, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. They have been awarded two Citations of Excellence from UNIMA-USA, the highest puppetry award in the United States, and in 2009, Bonny Hall was awarded a Design Commendation from the Arlyn Award Foundation. Since 2001, Jamie and Bonny have been living in Halifax, Vermont, a tiny town in the hills near Brattleboro, where they continue to create their award-winning productions.

Recommended for ages 4 - 10. 

PURCHASE TICKETS TO AFRICAN ADVENTURE TALES!
 

Cooking up some Magic!

Hey there Puppet Friends! We hope you've been enjoying your Spring holidays, and if you joined us for one of our sold out performances of "Peter Rabbit Tales", THANK YOU! We are now gearing up for another wonderful show this week: "The Magic Soup and Other Stories" by Resident Artist Brad Shur! Brad has been super busy lately teaching an awesome Shadow Puppetry Production Lab, and we are SO excited for him to be back on stage with this hilarious and heartwarming original show.

SHOW DESCRIPTION:
What do you do when your relatives are coming over for dinner, but there's no food in sight? A young man's search for a family recipe ends up bringing folk tales to life...in his kitchen. Based on a collection of traditional Yiddish stories, 'The Magic Soup' teaches that it is those with wit, humor and imagination who have the best chance of filling their bellies -- and fulfilling their dreams.

Recommended for everyone ages 6 and up. Lots of word play. 

SHOW DATES & TIMES:
Thursday, April 9th @ 10:30am
Friday, April 10th @ 10:30am
Saturday, April 11th @ 1pm & 3pm
Sunday, April 12th @ 1pm & 3pm

PURCHASE TICKETS!
 

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Brad Shur is a versatile puppeteer who has created and performed characters made of everything from pixels to papier mache. As the Artist in Residence at Puppet Showplace Theatre he performs regularly and teaches puppetry classes to students of all ages, Pre-K to adult. As protégé of master puppeteer Paul Vincent Davis, Shur trained extensively in glove puppetry and currently performs two of Davis’ classic shows at venues across New England. 'Robin Hood' is Shur's first original glove puppet show. Shur’s other original works include 'The Carrot Salesman,' 'Dr. Doohickey and the Monster Machine,' 'The Yankee Peddler: Stories and Songs from Old New England' and 'The Magic Soup and Other Stories,' featured at the Puppeteers of America National Festival 2013. Prior to becoming the Artist in Residence at Puppet Showplace, Shur toured the country as a performer with Big Nazo (Rhode Island), Wood & Strings Theatre (Tennessee) and The PuppeTree (Vermont). As a builder Shur has designed and fabricated puppets for American Idol, Dollywood, Avenue Q, and the U.S.S. Constitution Museum. He is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design.
 
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We've been having LOTS of sold out shows lately so be sure to reserve your tickets early for "Magic Soup"! Up next is the final show in our "Puppets Around the World" Series: "African Adventure Tales" by Crabgrass Puppet Theatre!

What is our next series, you ask? Well, it's called "Tiny Heroes" and we're kicking it off with TWO April Vacation Week shows: "The Legend of Banana Kid" and "Everybody Loves Pirates" by Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers! And you were worried you wouldn't have anything to do during Vacation Week... :)

Check out all of our Spring offerings HERE

But wait, there's more! Our Build Your Own Monster Puppet Class starts on April 28th! This
fur-tastic class is taught by Jonathan Little of Little's Creatures (that's right, the man who brought you Bella Monster!) and meets Tuesday evenings 6:30-9pm for four weeks. Check out all the details and reserve your spot for all the furry fun you could ever want!

Make your own furry creature with Jon Little, Little's Creatures! Class begins April 28.

AND, guess what's happening June 2nd at the George H. Wightman Mansion in Brookline? Why, it's our CARNIVAL OF WONDERS Spring Gala! This magical evening is sure to be the event of the summer--a fabulous night of food, drinks, music, puppets, performances, special guests, awards, a silent auction, and so much more--you definitely don't want to miss it. Check out all the details and purchase your ticket to this very special event!

Thanks for reading, Puppet People. Now get out there, enjoy the Spring sunshine, and let's have a PUPPET SHOW! :)

Join us on Another Journey Around the World!

Hey there Puppet Friends! We hope you had a great weekend, and if you had the chance to come join us for World Puppetry Day, THANK YOU! We had such a great time hanging out with Nappy's Puppets for "Shadows Around the World", and of course for our Sold Out Puppet SLAM! Some local media stopped by too--Metro Boston even put us on the cover of Monday's Paper! Check out the link for their awesome article on us as well as the brilliant Jim Napolitano!

Did we mention we've had the most adorable letter writing campaign going on to encourage our Governor to support puppetry arts? It worked so well that he even declared March 21st to be the Massachusetts Day of Puppetry! Yep, it's good to a puppeteer in Massachusetts. Check out these cool snaps we took of some of the artwork and the extra special Proclamation, Oooooh.....Ahhhh.

And since you know we can't sit still for more than two seconds, we've got ANOTHER amazing new show this week! Part of our Puppet Around the World Series,  "Tiger Tales" is created and performed by the incredible puppeteers at Chinese Theatre Works. They're performing this week only and Thursday and Friday morning's shows are already SOLD OUT, so make sure to get your tickets now for the weekend...

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Show Description: Four performers blend Chinese and Western styles of shadow puppetry to create a delightful theatrical experience filled with wit and wisdom. A wise old rabbit recounts for her granddaughter the rise and fall of the reigning jungle monarch, the fearsome but none-too-smart Tiger. Based on traditional Chinese folklore (with a humorous modern twist!), 'Tiger Tales' features a colorful cast of antique-replica shadow puppet characters and traditional Chinese music.

About the Performers: Chinese Theatre Works (CTW) was created in 2001 out of the merger of two non-profit institutions with long histories of bringing both traditional and contemporary Chinese performing arts to local, national, and international audiences. Now based in New York City, CTW's mission is to preserve and promote the traditional Chinese performing arts (including opera, shadow theatre, puppetry, dance and music); to create new performance works that bridge Eastern and Western aesthetics and forms; and to foster understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture in audiences, artists students, scholars and educators around the globe.

Recommended for everyone ages 6 and up.

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These wonderful puppeteers are also doing something really special for us this Thursday night, March 26th--They're holding a Shadow Puppetry Master Class for one night only, 6:30-8:30pm! Come see how they make puppetry magic, and learn how to do it yourself! For more info and to register, CLICK HERE!

*Phew* Did you catch all that? Oh wait, there's MORE! As always we've got a new episode of Puppet Playtime on Wednesday, and now we've ADDED a 3:30pm show due to popular demand! Our 10:30am shows have been selling out almost every week, so if you want the same fun and excitement with Bella Monster and the gang without worrying about a wait-list, try the 3:30 show and see what you think. More details here!

As always there is plenty more to come at Puppet Showplace Theater, so stay tuned and have a great week!

-Katie B, Puppet Showplace Social Media Intern :)

Celebrate World Day of Puppetry at Puppet Showplace Theater!

What? You didn't know there was a whole DAY dedicated to puppetry? Well there is! The National Day of Puppetry is also the WORLD Puppetry Day, on Saturday, March 21st! And boy have we got a lot planned for you....

FIRST UP: Nappy's Puppets presents "Shadows Around the World", part of our 40th Anniversary Puppets Around the World Series!

SHOW DATES & TIMES:
Thursday, March 19th @ 10:30am
Friday, March 20th @ 10:30am
Saturday, March 21st @ 1pm & 3pm
Sunday, March 22nd @ 1pm & 3pm

GET TICKETS FOR "PUPPETS AROUND THE WORLD"!

Show Description:
Travel the world with shadows, stories and songs! For thousands of years, people have manipulated puppets, and one of the oldest and most wonderful puppetry styles is shadow puppetry. In this fun and interactive show, you'll meet everyone from elegant Chinese Emperors to the topsy-turvy Turkish trickster Karagoz, all with the hilarious Jim Napolitano as your guide! Audiences of all ages will enjoy this fun opportunity to experience world cultures and history, learn about traditional storytelling, all while witnessing the exciting evolution of shadow puppetry as an art form.

About the Performer:
Jim Napolitano, a.k.a. 'Uncle Nappy,' is a Connecticut native and one of America’s most-loved shadow puppeteers. He is a graduate of the University of Connecticut’s Puppet Arts program, and has taught puppetry to students of all ages throughout New England. For over 20 years Nappy’s Puppets has toured nationally to theatres, festivals, libraries, and museums, delighting audiences of all ages with quality shadow theatre productions.
Jim has also worked extensively as a freelance artist and puppeteer. As a member of Bits and Pieces Puppet Theatre he performed musicals with giant puppets across the country and around the world, including at the National Cultural Center in Japan and the National Theatre in Taiwan. His television credits include Between the Lions, The Book of Pooh, and segments for Nickelodeon, Scholastic Home Video, and HBO Pictures. He currently resides in Connecticut with his two young children.

Recommended for everyone ages 4 and up. Lots of mini-stories, interactivity, and humor mixed with educational content.

And, as if we won't be having enough fun already on Saturday, we are throwing another incredible Puppet SLAM that evening at 8pm! Come on down for all the adult-only fun, laughter, and creativity from some of the best puppeteers around. Each SLAM is unique and they always sell out, so get your tickets early so you don't miss out!!

Puppet SLAM: International Edition- March 21st, 2015
Every other month Puppet Showplace Theater stays open late to present the region’s finest puppetry acts...for adults! In honor of the World Day of Puppetry, the March puppet slam features performances inspired by stories and puppetry styles from across the globe, including globe-trotting shadow puppeteer Jim Napolitano. Live music, cash bar. Funding made possible in part by the Puppet Slam Network, check them out at www.puppetslam.com

GET TICKETS TO THE PUPPET SLAM ON MARCH 21ST!

The Puppeteers of America and UNIMA-USA are helping us celebrate this special day even more! Check out their write up on some of our festivities!

Coming up next: Continuing our Puppets Around the World Series with "Tiger Tales" by Chinese Theatre Works, and then "Peter Rabbit Tales" by Tuckers' Tales! Stay tuned...