Left and right: Sova Dance & Puppet Theater perform Marvelous Metamorphoses at an Earth Day celebration in 2024. Center: John Regan of CactusHead Puppets performs Magnificent Monster Circus at 2023’s Summer Outdoor series.
(Brookline, MA) – Puppet Showplace Theater launches an expanded Summer Outdoor Series, bringing dynamic family-friendly outdoor puppet shows to Brookline Village, Downtown Boston, Allston, and Mattapan. In honor of Puppet Showplace’s 50th anniversary year, this program is growing from 5 to 8 performances, and from 1 neighborhood in Brookline to 4 neighborhoods across Brookline and Boston.
Outdoor summer shows started near the theater’s Brookline Village location during peak pandemic, and have since become a summer favorite. “We've found that audiences really respond to the relaxed environment of an outdoor show,” explains Veronica Barron, the Executive Artistic Director of Puppet Showplace Theater. "By nearly doubling the number of shows and quadrupling the neighborhoods reached, we aim to reach diverse communities and connect with new audiences through the joy of puppetry."
John Regan of CactusHead Puppets performs Magnificent Monster Circus at 2023’s Summer Outdoor series.
The shows are free, with the invitation to donate for families who can. “Most people do make a contribution, and that makes it possible for others to attend free of charge, and supports shows for the Summer Eats free meal program. In that way, it’s a community-supported endeavor, which is lovely to see.” shared Barron. The series also received support from the New England Foundation for the Arts’s NEST touring grant program.
This summer’s visiting artist is Sova Dance & Puppet Theater from Connecticut, with their show Marvelous Metamorphoses, which celebrates the life cycle of butterflies, frogs, and more. “We chose this show for our neighborhood tour because it is so interactive — there are big, beautiful puppets that you can see from a distance, and audience members are invited to hop like frogs and dance along — but also, a small butterfly puppet comes to on children’s hands to listen to their hopes and dreams, so there’s a personal connection as well,” said Barron. “Because of these interactive components, this show works for children as young as two, all the way up to 10 or 11 — and the adults are not-so-secretly having fun, too!” The outdoor series also features returning local favorite, Magnificent Monster Circus by CactusHead Puppets, a hilarious, colorful show about sweet and silly monsters.
Partners include the Friends of Herter Park, which brings dynamic arts programming to the Herter Park Amphitheater in Allston; Emerson College’s UnCommon Stage, which presents diverse outdoor entertainment to the Boston Common; the Highland Street Foundation’s TADpole 10, which brings family-oriented programs to the TADpole Playground at Boston Common on ten summer Thursdays; and the City of Boston’s Mayor's Office of Food Justice / Boston Public Schools, offering a performance as part of the launch of the City of Boston’s Summer Eats program — a free-of-charge program that provides meals to kids and teens ages 18 and under; all are welcome! The Summer Outdoor Series also includes a performance at One Brookline Place, in Brookline Village, right across from Puppet Showplace Theater.
"Our goal is to make puppetry accessible to everyone, regardless of theater experience or economic background, and an outdoor show in a familiar park can feel more comfortable — and we know that many of the children who visit us are attending live theater for the first time,” explains Barron. “And for audiences who already love going to the theater, it’s fun and different to get to watch a show and have a picnic.”
The Summer Outdoor Series marks the beginning of Puppet Showplace’s 50th anniversary year, which will be celebrated from June 2024 through June 2025. Programming is planned during the anniversary year that highlights the theater’s commitment to excellence in artistry, affordable access and outreach, and representation and inclusion.
SUMMER OUTDOOR SERIES DATES AND LOCATIONS:
More information about the Summer Outdoor Series: www.puppetshowplace.org/summer-outdoor-series
June 29 (Sat): 10:30 am at Herter Park Amphitheater, 1175 Soldiers Field Road, Allston (Rain date June 30)
July 6 (Sat): 12:00 pm at Emerson College’s UnCommon Stage in the Boston Common, corner of Boylston Street & Tremont Street
July 11 (Thu): 10:30 am at TADPole10, at the Tadpole Playground in the Boston Common
July 12 (Fri): 12:30 pm at the launch event for the City of Boston’s Summer Eats program, at Mildred Avenue K-8 School in Mattapan
July 13 (Sat): 10:30 am at One Brookline Place, on the grassy lawn across the T tracks from Puppet Showplace
July 27 (Sat): 12:00 pm at Emerson College’s UnCommon Stage in the Boston Common, corner of Boylston Street & Tremont Street
Aug 24 (Sat): 12:00 pm at Emerson College’s UnCommon Stage in the Boston Common, corner of Boylston Street & Tremont Street
Aug 31 (Sat: 12:00 pm at Emerson College’s UnCommon Stage in the Boston Common, corner of Boylston Street & Tremont Street
