Welcome to Puppet Showplace Theater’s first-ever Mini-Festival of Marionettes!
Marionettes are a fan favorite here at Puppet Showplace. It’s easy to see why! In the hands of a skilled puppeteer, marionettes can take on a life of their own, performing elegant movements that capture our imagination. The festival runs Jan 30 - Feb 15.
Artistic Director, Roxie Myhrum with Peter from "Peter and the Wolf" by National Marionette Theatre.
Our mini-festival is a chance to see the work of New England’s best string puppeteers up close. There are plenty of showtimes for youth and family audiences, as well as a special Puppets at Night performance for adults and families with older children. If you’re inspired to learn more about this centuries-old craft, we also have three hands on workshops for different ages and skill levels.
Members save on all mini-festival offerings, including marionette purchases from our store. Become a member today! MEMBER INFO
Below is a guide to help you navigate the festival offerings. If you have any questions or would like to share feedback about your experiences, please get in touch with me at artistic@puppetshowplace.org.
See you at the show!
Roxie Myhrum, Puppet Showplace Artistic Director
WEEKEND 1: Tanglewood Marionettes
January 30 - 31
Mainstage Performance: “The Fairy Circus”
Saturday and Sunday, January 30 – 31
1pm and 3pm
Recommended for ages 3 and up
Workshop: “Marionette Manipulation” SOLD OUT!
Saturday January 30, 4:00 – 5:30 pm
All ages 8 to adult
About the Performers:
Peter Schaefer of Tanglewood Marionettes has been part of the Puppet Showplace family ever since he volunteered to usher as a young boy. Now, he is regarded as one of America’s finest puppeteers, touring epic productions across the country and into Canada. "The Fairy Circus" is my personal favorite of Tanglewood’s shows. Set in an enchanted garden, it’s a delightful showcase for turn-of-the-century style trick puppetry, performed by over 20 beautifully handcrafted marionettes. While this bright, colorful, and (mostly) non-verbal show is a great theater experience for our youngest audiences, it will also captivate audiences of all ages interested in classical craftsmanship and traditional technique.
Speaking of technique, Peter will also be leading a marionette manipulation workshop at 4pm on Saturday. This class, designed for ages 8 to adult, is an excellent hands-on introduction to marionette performance. We are currently sold out--only 15 slots were available! Contact the Box Office (617-731-6400 x 101) to join the wait list.
WEEKEND 2: The Wayne Martin Puppets
and Honey Goodenough
February 6 - 7
Puppets at Night Performance & Reception: “The Wayne Martin Puppets: In Concert”
Friday February 5th @ 8:00pm
Ages 8 to adult
Workshop: “Gooney Bird Marionettes”
With Honey Goodenough
Saturday February 6, 10:30 – 12pm
Ages 5 – 10
Mainstage Performance: “The Wayne Martin Puppets: 50th Anniversary Celebration”
Saturday and Sunday, February 6-7
1 pm and 3 pm
Recommended for ages 4 and up
About the Performer:
We are honored to welcome Wayne Martin back to our stage for two inspiring performances highlighting his life’s work.Friday evening’s “In Concert” show is a two-act program featuring an astonishing variety of short vignettes aimed at adults and families with older children. We invite you to join us at intermission for a reception celebrating Wayne’s illustrious career. Then, on Saturday and Sunday Wayne will delight family audiences with matinee shows featuring his signature large-scale marionette characters. Prepare to be amazed by all the tricks he has in store! On Saturdaymorning, guest artist Honey Goodenough will lead us in a very crafty marionette making workshop. Kids ages 5-10 will make their very own Gooney Bird marionette and learn how to bring it to life.
WEEKEND 3 : Puppetkabob
Feb 13 – 15
Mainstage Performance: “The Snowflake Man”
Saturday and Sunday, Feb 13-14@ 1pm and 3 pm
Monday Feb 15 @ 10:30am and 1pm
Recommended for ages 5 and up
Workshop: “Make your own Scarf Marionette “
Monday Feb 15, 3 pm to 6 pm
Ages 13 to Adult
About the Performer:
We are thrilled to welcome Puppetkabob’s Sarah Frechette back to Puppet Showplace. Her award-winning production “The Snowflake Man” is a charming portrait of Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley, the Vermont farmer and inventor known for his pioneering snowflake photography. Using a miniature "Czech-style" marionette in her own likeness, Sarah transports us back in time to meet with Bentley and explore his world.
On President’s Day Monday, Sarah will also share secrets from the String Academy when she teaches a three-hour workshop on how to build your own Roser-style scarf marionette. Albrecht Roser was one of the world’s greatest marionette artists, and Sarah studied with him extensively in Germany. Roser believed in the elegant simplicity of marionette design, and his scarf puppets allow beginners to create compelling performances using basic materials and the manipulation of gravity.
