Monster Mondays are Moving In

Summer 2013 Adult Class

By: Joanna McDonough, Deitch Leadership Intern 

We have all heard it, that familiar falsetto voice that can usually be heard talking to a pet goldfish, or a man named Mr. Noodles, or Mr. Noodle's brother, coincidentally also named Mr. Noodles. Some of us were even lucky enough to take part in many giggles with this furry red friend in childhood, when he exclaimed "That tickles!" every time he was hugged. Yes, I am talking about Elmo my favorite Muppet character from Sesame Street and yes, my Tickle Me Elmo still has batteries in it.

Hello! My name is Joanna. I am 18 years old and an intern at the Puppet Showplace Theatre in Brookline, and I am proud to say that like many of you, I love Elmo. Interestingly enough however, until today I did not know anything about the mechanics behind the puppet that resides on Sesame Street.

It is sad to think that despite my knowledge of every song composed by him, I had no idea who the puppeteers who made Elmo come alive were, or who even created the character. As it turns out, the character was created in the 1970s and first performed by Caroll Spinney and Jerry Nelson then later by Kevin Clash. These puppeteers were responsible for Elmo's portrayal, providing his audience with the lifelike movements of the puppet's arms and legs.

How do they do it, you ask?

The techniques used by artists and performers such as Kevin Clash to create believable puppet characters may seem out of reach to master, but there is good news for aspiring performers and Muppet fans alike.

The Puppet Showplace Theatre is bringing back a class due to popular demand called Furry Monsters 101 which will be starting up in July.

REGISTER ONLINE

'Furry Monsters 101' spring class 2012 show off Little Creature monsters

 What happens in the class?   

The class, taught by Jonathan Little of Little's Creatures, will focus on the proper manipulation of Muppet-style hand and rod puppets featured on Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and Avenue Q. Jonathan will teach the class how to make these puppet characters appear as living, breathing beings with their own thoughts, desires, and motivations; some of the basics he will include are breathing, lip-synch, focus, and body positioning.

The sessions for Furry Monsters 101 run July 15 - Aug 5 on Monday nights from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. The registration price by July 1st is $150 and after July 1st it will be  $175.
And don't forget PST members save 10% on registration! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Even though it is only my third day here at the Puppet Showplace Theatre, I can already tell that the programs this organization has planned for the summer will be great ways to beat the heat and enjoy the arts, for both children and adults. I hope to see you this summer in the theatre!

Int'l Toy Theater Fest at Puppet Showplace: Meet the Artists!

GREAT SMALL WORKS INTERNATIONAL TOY THEATRE FESTIVAL ON TOUR

June 28 & 29- View Full Performance Schedule

Let's Meet the Artists!!!

Artists from Great Small Works...

"Living Newspaper" by Great Small Works

Great Small Works was founded in 1995 by a collective of six artists, all veterans of Bread and Puppet Theater, who explore traditional popular theater and puppet forms to reflect contemporary life. Great Small Works performs in theaters, schools, parks, libraries, museums, prisons, street corners, and other public spaces, producing work on many scales, from gigantic outdoor spectacles with scores of volunteers, to miniature shows in living rooms. In curated festivals, cabarets and Soirees, Great Small Works collaborates with artists from varied traditions, provides performance opportunities for artists in diverse genres, and engages the participation of young artists in the process of finding their own voices. In community-based pageants and parades, the company works with groups of students, activists and artists to address issues of common concern. On any scale Great Small Works productions seek to renew, cultivate and strengthen the spirits of their audiences, promoting theater as a model for participating in democracy.

Great Small Works talks toy theater

Great Small Works received a Village Voice Obie Award (1997) and two UNIMA/USA Citations for Excellence (1997 and 2008); a New York Foundation for the Arts Community Assets Grant (1998), and the Puppeteers of America’s Jim Henson Award for innovation in puppetry (2005). Its members are John Bell, Trudi Cohen, Stephen Kaplin, Jenny Romaine, Roberto Rossi and Mark Sussman. (More Info)

Artists from Facto Teatro....

Facto Teatro, "Don Chico con Alas"

Facto Teatro was formed in Mexico City in 2007 by Alejandro Benítez (actor and puppeteer) and Mauricio Martínez (actor and pedagogue). Facto Teatro seeks to create an interactive form of theater that will enable the audience to engage in its productions. The theater incorporates new forms of artistic discourse with a critical objective, allowing the public to enter into a form of entertainment free from prejudices and established formulas.

The company's first work, Panteón de fiesta (Fiesta Graveyard), was commissioned by The Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County for the 1st International Festival of Toy Theater of the Music Center of Los Angeles in June 2008. This commission was supported also by a grant from The Jim Henson Foundation. Since then, the company has performed at Teatro La Puntual, Barcelona, Spain (2009); Papiertheatertreffen, Preetz, Germany (2010, 2011); Teatr Grotesca, Krakow and Centrum Lowicka, Poland (2010); Great Small Works’ International Toy Theater Festival, Brooklyn, NY (2008, 2010); Rencontres Intenationales de Theatres de Papier, Pays d’Epernay, France (2011); and many festivals and theaters throughout Mexico.

Antonio Cerezo studied Dramatic Literature and Theatre at the Faculty of Philosophy and Literature of the Autonomous National University of Mexico (UNAM) and in New York City. Since 1992 he has worked professionally as an actor, choreographer and director in Mexico City, the United States and Europe. He spent 7 years in New York City performing at La MaMa etc, Lincoln Center, Mabou Mines, The Ohio Theater and St Ann’s Warehouse. He currently lives and works in Germany where he has performed at Berliner Festspiele, Volksbühne and in Theaterhaus Jena. Don Chico con alas is his first collaboration with Facto Teatro. (More Info)

Mauricio Martínez, Co-founder and Artistic Director of Facto Teatro, studied Dramatic Literature and Theatre at the Faculty of Philosophy and Literature of the Autonomous National University of Mexico (UNAM). He has specialized in the manipulation of puppets for television, poetry, sound engineering and theater pedagogy, and has participated as an actor, director, adapter and sound engineer in over fifteen theatrical productions. In the field of education he works as a professor of theater, literature, movement and arts education in several schools in Mexico City. He has collaborated with the Ministry of Education as head of the Secondary School Theatre Program, which is part of the reform of secondary education by training teachers in theater across the country.

Alejandro Benítez, Co-founder and Managing Director of Facto Teatro, is an actor, puppeteer and drummer. He studied Dramatic Literature and Theatre at the Faculty of Philosophy and Literature of the Autonomous National University of Mexico (UNAM). He took the improvisation workshop with the Latin American League of Improvisation and the training course with the renowned director and acting teacher Ludwik Margules. He has worked as an actor and studio musician and as a puppeteer has performed in theaters, television (the Latin American version of Sesame Street) and TV internet.

Let's Meet our Artists-Barbara Steinitz and Björn Kollin from Germany...

“Schnurzpiepegal” (Like Master, Like Dog)  by Barbara Steinetz and Björn Kollin

Barbara Steinitz studied communication-design and illustration in Saarbrücken/Germany and Barcelona/Spain. After getting her diploma in 2004 she completed a voluntary service in Granada/Nicaragua; teaching workshops in arts and crafts for adults and children at the cultural institution Casa de los Tres Mundos, she started to explore and include puppet-theater within her work as an illustrator. In Nicaragua she got to know the author Gioconda Belli, for whom she illustrated her first book ("Die Blume und der Baum", Peter Hammer Editorial, Wuppertal 2006). After writing and illustrating her own picture book “Schnurzpiepegal” (Bajazzo Verlag Zürich, 2009) she created a paper theatre show out of this book in collaboration with the musician Björn Kollin. In the last three years they have been been touring with this show in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Mexico, presenting it in schools, libraries and theatre festivals. She received the Austrian Children’s Book Award, the Troisdorfer Picture Book Award and a nomination for the German Children’s Book Award. She lives in Berlin and works as a freelance illustrator, author and puppeteer. 

Björn Kollin 1998-2000 apprenticeship as a wood sculptor in Flensburg; 2000-2002 studies of audiovisual arts in Saarbrücken with professor Christina Kubisch, 2002-2004 studies of sculpture at the University of Fine Arts in Berlin with professor Tony Cragg, 2004-2005 master class student of professor Tony Cragg. Since 2005 freelancing composer, musician and artist, lives and works in Berlin.

Coming soon! The Great Small Works’ International Toy Theater Festival on Tour

Guest blogger: Holly Hartman, PST Volunteer Media Consultant

Holly Hartman

I first attended a show at the Puppet Showplace Theatre several years ago, when my then-six-year-old niece was visiting Boston. I was dazzled, both by the skill of the puppeteer—the enthralling Sarah Lamstein—and the candid absorption of young audience members. They beamed at the arrival of a friendly kitten puppet, shrieked at onstage silliness, and cringed when a tiny Beelzebub rose up from behind the curtain. Afterward, a few children stayed to “meet” one of the puppets; they held its small hands and spoke to it as if to a new friend, apparently oblivious to the presence of Lamstein.

Since then I’ve also discovered PST's offerings for adult audiences, which have included some of the most memorable and ingenious theater productions I’ve seen anywhere. A troupe from Bavaria, Saltamontes Puppet Arts, enacted a mysterious tale with bunraku-style animal figures; Vermont’s Modern Times Theater used cardboard cutouts in a droll retelling of a political fable by Herman Hesse; recently, a marionette puppet slam blew my mind with wood and string. I have noticed that in the presence of puppetry arts I can be as awed and credulous as any six-year-old.

Right now I’m particularly excited about a traveling show that will be landing at PST at the end of this month: The Great Small Works’ International Toy Theater Festival.

Get Ready for Toy Theater…

One of the many things I’ve learned at PST is that there’s currently an international revival of “toy theaters” (aka “paper theaters” or “model theaters”). These mass-produced Victorian miniatures, complete with paper scenery and characters, were a popular form of home entertainment in nineteenth-century Europe. A wondrous variety of contemporary theater artists have contributed to their revival. “Toy theater festivals happen all over the world,” says PST artistic director Roxanna Myhrum, “consistently amazing audiences with the power of performance-in-miniature.”

"Living Newspaper" by Great Small Works

After a residence at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn (how’s that for a credential?!), the traveling part of this year’s festival will make a stop at PST, on June 28 and 29. Both nights will feature a cabaret-style production by three acclaimed theater companies. I'm really looking forward to seeing their work in the intimate space of PST.

Facto Teatro, "Don Chico con Alas"

Facto Teatro (Mexico City) will perform “Don Chico con Alas” (Don Chico with Wings), based on a surrealistic story by Mexican author Eraclio Zepeda. Barbara Steinitz and Björn Kollin (Berlin) will use live music—and a suitcase for a stage—in“Schnurzpiepegal” (Like Master, Like Dog), a humorous meditation on urban life and human-pet dynamics. Great Small Works (New York, but founded by veterans from Vermont’s Bread and Puppet Theater) will bring together words and images from modern-day media in “Living Newspaper,” a new work that addresses the issue of American gun violence.

…and a Family Matinee

“Schnurzpiepegal” (Like Master, Like Dog) by Barbara Steinetz and Björn Kollin

Never fear: kids will have the chance to get in on the toy theater fun, too. On Saturday, June 29, PST will host two daytime shows of “Schnurzpiepegal” (Like Master, Like Dog), each followed by a free workshop, where artists Barbara Steinetz and Björn Kollin will help children create their own toy theater puppets.

Just the Facts!

Evening cabaret on Friday, June 28, and Saturday, June 29, at 8 p.m. (Recommended for adults and teens 13+.) Tickets: $15 General Admission/$13 Members. Cash bar.

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Family matinee on Saturday, June 29, at 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. (Recommended for ages 3 & up.) Tickets: $12 General Admission/$8 Members. Followed by a free puppet-making workshop; PST will provide materials.

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PST Recognizes Norah Dooley, Co-Founder of massmouth, inc for Leadership in the Arts

Reflections on a Creative Leadership Award

by Guest Blogger: Norah Dooley, Co-Founder of massmouth, inc.

This Tuesday, June 4th, 2013  I am honored to receive a Creative Leadership Award at Puppet Showplace Theatre at the Garden Party Gala, celebrating the occasion of their 39th birthday. 

When we first approached Puppet Showplace, in 2010, with the idea of a collaboration, massmouth was just over one year old. We had long known and respected Puppet Showplace Theatre as a venue that supported the art form of puppetry which, much like storytelling, it is an art form with ancient roots that evokes rather than replaces imagination. We also knew that Puppet Showplace Theatre were successful. They had a history that showed grit and commitment that we could admire and aspire to; they had survived as artists and had maintained a continuously operating theater right in the heart of Greater Boston for over 3 decades.

Three years ago, we were whippersnappers, who had just finished our first season of story slams and believed we had a some social capital to share. And if leadership is boldly asking for what one needs, whether  appropriate or not, then I have earned some part of this honor -  although Cheeky Monkey Award would be a name better fitted to my style. We were beggars at the Puppet Theatre gate and  very seriously in need of inexpensive or free office space because our operations had outgrown bedroom/living room arrangement. I suggested a collaboration based on our needs. Ultimately and not surprisingly, the first date between massmouth and Puppet Showplace Theatre did not lead to a relationship.

Norah Dooley Introducing Maria Tatar at our first "Grimm and Twisted" fairytale slam at PST  - also the 200th anniversary of the Grimms

Skip ahead to this spring.  I am reading ( more precisely, skimming)  the email announcing I was being honored with this award. At first glance I thought that I was being asked to write a recommendation for Roxie Myhrum.  She was the one who helped us find a way to work together.  How perfect, I thought. Roxie is someone with vision, passion and drive. She really deserves this kind of award. I was so delighted to be able to do a small favor for Artistic Director of the Puppet Showplace Theatre that I started to read the email, just to be sure I knew when the deadline for my recommendation might be. 

This closer reading revealed a mind-blowing truth - The Creative Leadership Award was being given to me and Roxie had been my nominator. I know. It was crazy!  Immediately I was on the phone asking Maria Finison, PST Board Member, if the award could be expanded to include the other organizers and founders of massmouth who are still active in Boston. Specifically, Doria Hughes who co-hosted and planned the series at Puppet Showplace Theatre with me and Andrea Lovett, who is always actively promoting the art of storytelling.  They both are leaders in the very best in contemporary performance of traditional material. But, no dice. This is an award for one person and Puppet Showplace Theatre wanted me. They cited the other areas of my work as fitting their criteria; my picture books, workshops, curricula etc. and so, although it is awkward to be so honored, I realized that I had to man-up and take one for the team.  So I accept this award for me as a representative of the art of  storytelling. 

Last summer after a different kind of overture we shared a proposal with Puppet Showplace Theatre and created a project that worked. It had been a dream at massmouth,inc. that we would one day be able to entice a theater or another arts group to support traditional storytelling.  This was an area of storytelling that we had mastered and worked in for decades. When we saw all storytelling on the wane, we started massmouth. When we saw the new energy slams brought to the art form we came up with an idea to mimic our successful 1st person story slams only using traditional content.

Doria Hughes, storyteller fabulosa,  traditional storytellers from Greater Boston and the region and I presented a monthly series of folk & fairy tale slams events right here. Our Slamming the Tradition: Six traditional storytelling events for adults were part open slam, where tellers presented stories no longer than 7 minutes, that were fiction and in some traditional form and part featured performer. Unlike our other story slams, tellers could include props, costumes and music BUT no notes. We secured the prizes and the audience chose winners: A bag of magic beans, magic wishing stone and a small bale of hay were award each month along with a gift card, donated by the Brookline Booksmith. Our first event was written up in ArtsFuse OCT 21 2012.

Performing with Susan Miron on February 14th, 2013 at PST

Audiences and performers enjoyed the project and you can read more about specific nights here. One of the highlights of our series for me was that I was able to create a program and present a feature on Feb 14th,  2013, telling longer stories from Boccaccio's 14th century collection of tales, The Decameron. Giovanni Boccaccio, a favorite of mine. He was an Italian author and poet, and an important Renaissance humanist. Boccaccio is particularly noted for his natural, his skewering of hypocrites in high places, witty dialogue and his sympathetic female characters.

My stories ranged from naughty to lusty, and included romantic tales that came from ancient story traditions of India and the bards of the Holy Roman Empire. Susan Miron accompanied me on the harp. She drew on various ancient folk melodies and dances from Southern Italy. The music comes from authentic folk songs of Campagnia, Calabria, Puglia & Napoli as transcribed by John LaBarbera, mandolinist.

All the performers at "Love, sex and heads may roll." at PST

Thank you so much to Andrea, Doria and Stu, the co-founders of massmouth, to Paula Junn and Hannah Lapuh the staff, the Board of Directors and all the volunteers at massmouth. Thanks to all my friends and supporters especially Sheila Leavitt and Susan Miron. Thanks to all the storytellers and listeners. Thanks so much to all at Puppet Showplace Theatre. You are our artistic cousins and have treated us like family -and you all have been delightfully collegial and fun to work with besides.  And, saving the most important for last, thanks to my family for their support my art and endurance of my absences, rants and excesses as I follow a quixotic quest for a path that leads to right livelihood through work as an artist. Thank you, all.

Birthday Party at PST: Help Us Celebrate 39 Years this June!

Celebrate our 39th Birthday with us!

Sunday, June 2nd

1:00-4:00 PM

MAKE A RESERVATION

Join us to celebrate Puppet Showplace Theatre's 39th Birthday with cake and more! Puppet fans can drop-in any time between 1pm and 4pm and enjoy rotating puppet performances, craft activities, and a community giant puppet parade. Participants will be able to bring home balloon animals and goody bags, or make their own puppet at fun craft stations. Tickets: $10 individual, $25 family ($8/$20 members).

Your contributions and "birthday gifts" to the theatre will help us share the magic of puppetry with children from across the Greater Boston Area this summer season. Thank you for helping to make our first family-friendly fundraiser a success!  If you cannot attend, consider making a birthday donation.

RAFFLE PRIZES!

Another way to show your support and help us celebrate 39 years as New England's puppet theater is by purchasing raffle tickets! Tickets are $5 each, and can be purchased on line or at our event on June 2nd.

PURCHASE RAFFLE TICKETS

Thank you to Sesame Workshop, our very good friend Leslie Carrara-Rudolph a.k.a. Abby Cadabby and Henry Bear's Park in Brookline for their generous donations!

PST V.I.P. Summer Pass 4 complementary tickets to each puppet show through  the summer 2013 season at PST

Elmo Pack Includes: Elmo Themed Kid’s T-shirt, DVD, baseball cap,  iphone case, and hand puppet

Abby Pack Includes: Abby Cadabby doll, photo album,  phone call from Abby, and a signed photo

Sesame Street Pack Includes: Autographed cast photo, Cookie Monster doll, Sesame Street book,  and Big Bird finger puppet.

$100 Shopping Spree! Enjoy a $100 Shopping spree at Henry Bear’s Park in Brookline Village

Thank you for helping us celebrate 39 years as New England's puppet theater!

Support Puppetry This Spring at PST!

Just as a garden needs care and attention to thrive, a small theater depends on the generous support of members and donors in order to survive!  Please help us reach our fundraising goal this spring, so we can continue to bring the magic of puppetry to audiences of all ages! MAKE A DONATION

GUEST BLOGGER: Maria Finison, PST Board Member

Maria and her daughter, Stella!

As a local Brookline resident, fan of the Puppet Showplace Theatre, and current board member, I was happy to be asked to write about our upcoming birthday party celebrations on the puppet blog!

We are very excited this year to be hosting two events for families, friends and supporters.  This is a great opportunity to learn more about the Theatre and all it does for the Brookline and Greater Boston community - all while eating cupcakes! 

On June 2^nd from 1:00 to 4:00pm- we will be hosting a family-friendly Birthday Party to celebrate PST’s 39^th Birthday.  The event will include fun games, puppet shows, and a Giant Puppet Parade down Station Street to the John Murphy Playground.  During the event there will be cupcakes and a raffle to help support the Theatre. MAKE RESERVATION

On June 4^th from 7:00 to 9:00pm- we will be hosting our annual fundraising party with our Garden Party Gala.  For this event, we will be transforming the Theatre into an enchanted garden.  The evening will include performances by emerging artists including our very own Artist in Residence Brad Shur who will be presenting a piece of digital puppetry.  In addition, the Showplace is giving two awards to two outstanding individuals and artists.  The first is the Paul Vincent Davis Award for Puppetry that will be given to Andrew and Bonnie Periale of Perry Alley Puppet Theatre.  The second, our Creative Leadership Award, will be given to Norah Dooley who is the Founder of massmouth, inc.  an organization devoted to the art of storytelling. MAKE RESERVATION

I hope to see many of you at the Theatre for these events.  We are very excited to celebrate with our community of supporters all that we have accomplished this year!

-Maria

Puppet Playtime is BAAAACCK!

PUPPET PLAYTIME

(For ages 3 and under)

Wednesdays at 10:30am through June 5, 2013

MAKE A RESERVATION

Revenge of the Furs! Puppet Playtime Returns to PST!

by Guest Blogger: Phil Berman

March went out like a crocheted lion, April showers brought May flowers to blossom, and the shining sun over the city can only mean one thing: Puppet Playtime is back at PST for four more shows this spring!

Last week Brenda, Bella Monster and I traveled back to the garden where we met a potpourri of friendly (and hungry) bugs. We even got the chance to take our show on the road last Sunday as we performed for the annual Duckling Day Parade at the Boston Common.

On Wednesday, the three of us will embark on a new camping adventure to explore the night sky with our intrepid audience members. Come for the canoeing and stay for the stargazing as we spend a night in an imaginary forest together with all of our puppet friends.

See you at the theater!

Phil Berman

Performer/Co-Creator Puppet Playtime

Magical May Continues with Cinderella!

"A Woodland Cinderella"
by Deborah Costine, Puppeter!

Mother's Day Weekend at Puppet Showplace Theatre!

Showtimes:
Thurs & Fri, May 9-10 at 10:30am
Sat & Sun, May 11-12 at 1 & 3pm

Buy Tickets!

ABOUT THE SHOW

In this original UNIMA award-winning version of Cinderella, the King of all Woodland Fairies wants his son to marry a fairy princess, but he knows that they are very hard to find. So the King hosts a great ball and commands all the young fairy maidens to attend. He hopes that the missing fern fairy princess will come. Will he find her?. 

This show is very popular for children aged four and up and their grownups.  It is also enjoyed equally by both boys and girls.

Deborah Costine, Puppeteer in Action!

ABOUT THE PERFORMER

Debbie grew up in Lancaster NH in a region known as “The Great North Woods.”  There were no visiting school assembly programs and the only puppet Debbie had ever seen was “Bunny-Rabbit” on “Captain Kangaroo” (TV reception was very limited there in the 50s!) When she was ten she made a puppet! She had no idea how to go about it but made a papier mache clown that still sits in her studio today.

Since 1974, Debbie has been one half of the well-known “Gerwick Puppets” touring throughout New England at schools, libraries, museums and events such as First Night Boston.  She writes the scripts with partner Lenny Gerwick, and makes all the puppets.  She estimates that over the past thirty years she has made over two hundred puppets! The Gerwick Puppets have presented over 5,000 performances to over a million children! Productions include “Aladdin and the Magic Lamp,” “Pilgrim Adventure to America,” “Inside the Haunted House” "Adventures From Thornton W. Burgess"  and "Midwinter Magic" to name a few. 

Beside her work with “Gerwick,” Debbie designs, constructs and performs her own solo shows called “Small Shows for Small Groups of Small Children.” Titles include “The Three Pigs and Other Tales,” “A Woodland Cinderella” and “The Twig Family in the Oak Tree.”  These are especially popular in pre-schools, libraries and birthday parties.

For lower elementary grades is "Turtle's New Home" that reflects Debbie's growing interest in the environment and the value of being connected to the outdoors.

She has taught puppetry classes at Plymouth State University in NH and Northeastern University in Boston, and Worcester State College.  She created a set of eight puppets for the National Park Service to teach about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railway. She has does professional voice work, such as playing numerous characters on the Verizon web-site: Superthinkers.com. 

Debbie's environmental interests have continued to grow - taking her outside on trails more and more, downstream in her kayak and a growing interest in bird identification.  Her own experience of growing up in a rural setting , playing outdoors, building "forts" in the woods with her brothers, wading in brooks, gave her an ongoing sense of the unlimited joys of the outdoors.  Now, Debbie's mission is to try to do what she can to promote a love of nature in children.  It is something that can give great pleasure to everyone.  Nature is everywhere! (from: http://www.deborahcostinenaturepuppets.com/about.html)

The Magical Month of May at PST!

Happy Spring, Puppet Fans!


A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing
by Spring Valley Puppet Theater
Thurs & Fri, May 2 & 3 at 10:30am
Sat & Sun, May 4 & 5 at 1 & 3pm

BUY TICKETS

With fond memories of ANIMAL APRIL at PST, we wave farewell to to our fabulous furry friends from Aesops's Fables, and cute critters that graced our puppet stage like Anansi the spider, and Mr. Bunni from the Carrot Salesman. Up next this spring at PST is MAGICAL MAY: a series of magic-filled tales that is sure to enchant audiences! To kick-off the month, PST presents, "A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing" by Spring Valley Puppets which is paired with the classic tale of "The Three Wishes", a story about a wood cutter who meets a magical elf in the forest!  Join us this week for two delightful stories performed by the award-winning PST long-time favorite, Spring Valley Puppet Theater of New Haven Connecticut!

"The Three Wishes"

About the show: A hungry Wolf tries to outwit a savvy Shepherd and make a meal of the helpless, little Lamb. Helpless? Maybe not! Adapted from the Aesop fable, this popular story is enlivened with a colorful Mexican setting, a humorous communication gap and a surprise ending! This presentation also includes "The Three Wishes," a spring valley favorite! Hand Puppets. Recommended for ages 3 and up.

Puppeteer, Michael Graham

About the performer: Michael Graham, puppeteer and director of Spring Valley Puppet Theater, has been performing since 1966 throughout New England, primarily for schools and libraries. He has performed at regional and national festivals of the Puppeteers of America. He designs and makes his puppets, writes his own scripts, creates the scenery, and does a number of the voices.

He graduated from Western Connecticut State College, and studied with the renowned puppeteer Albrecht Roser from Stuttgart, Germany, at the University of Connecticut.

For more info about Michael Graham and Spring Valley Puppet Theater: Visit www.springvalleypuppets.com

Shadow Puppetry Class for Adults!

Advanced Shadow Puppetry Workshop
Five sessions, May 6 - June 3
Monday nights | 6:30 - 8:30 pm

REGISTER

We invite you to advance your skills with us! Unleash the storytelling powers of darkness and light! Learn to build and perform a complete shadow puppet show in this rigorous and supportive class.

Image from "Trash: A Love Story" designed by Matthew Woellert, a PST shadow puppetry class alum

ABOUT THE CLASS

Participants will explore advanced mechanisms and building techniques using hinges, rivets, springs and slides crafted from durable materials to create professional quality shadow puppets. Then participants will focus on performance skills and visual storytelling to create an original short piece.

This is an advanced-level class: "Introduction to Shadow Puppetry" or equivalent experience is highly highly recommended.  If you have questions, please contact bshur@puppetshowplace.org.

SHADOW PUPPETRY

Shadow Puppets

Shadow puppetry began 1000’s of years ago in China and India. Now it is regarded as the oldest form of puppetry in the entire world! Traditional shadow puppets are flat and made out of leather in which holes are punched out in order to imply features and clothing. Contemporary ones can be made combining a multitude of materials including: paper, plastic, wood, found objects, scarves, almost anything really! Puppeteer’s use flat articulated figures in order to give the appearance of three-dimensional moving objects with the assistance of light.  




YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Artist in Residence Brad Shur

This workshop is led by PST’s own Artist in Residence Brad Shur. Brad performs almost every month at PST as well as teaches classes and workshops to students aged 3 to adult. For nearly 15 years he has been professionally involved in puppetry since he began as a performer with the Providence puppet and Mask Company Big Nazo. He has worked in various capacities with Wood & Strings Theatre (Tennessee), and Vermont PuppetTree, and as a builder has designed and fabricated puppets for American Idol, Dollywood, and other theaters and performers from Austin, Texas to Boston, Massachusetts. 





SEE BRADS SHADOWS IN ACTION!

Have you seen Brad's newest production at PST? In January of 2013, Puppet Showplace Theatre presented the world premier performance of "Yankee Peddler: Songs and Stories of Old New England" created and performed by Brad Shur, and musician, Chris Monti.  This exciting adventure through local New England Folklore features incredibly beautiful and intricate shadow puppets made by Brad Shur, and live folk music performed by Chris Monti.

If you missed the January performances, you can see "Yankee Peddler" on our stage this Spring: May, 23  through 26.

Animal April Concludes with Anansi the Spider!

Anansi, Spiderman of Africa
by Crabgrass Puppet Theatre

Thurs | April 25 | 10:30 AM
Fri | April 26 | 10:30 AM & *3:30 PM
Sat & Sun | April 27 & 28 | 1 PM & 3 PM
*Join us for a special post-show demonstration with Crabgrass Puppet Theatre, and enjoy a free puppet-making activity to take home after the 3:30pm performance on Friday, April 26.

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A side-splitting selection of famous folktales from Africa starring Anansi the Spider, whose appetite always overrules his intellect. Anansi loves to eat and hates to work, so he tries to trick other animals out of their food. But there's no free lunch for Anansi, because all of his schemes leave him hungrier than ever! Anansi is one of the classic trickster characters in world folklore. These comical African folktales are both entertaining and instructive; because he puts his own desires ahead of the needs of his community, Anansi often ends up exiled to the corner of the room. Anansi, Spiderman of Africa was awarded the 2000-2001 Citation of Excellence from the American Center of the Union Internationale de la Marionette, the highest honor in American puppetry. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

Crabgrass Puppet Theatre: Jamie Keithline and Bonny Hall  CRABGRASS PUPPET THEATRE is an award-winning, touring puppet theatre founded in 1982 by Jamie Keithline and Bonny Hall. After graduating from the University of Connecticut, Bonny and Jamie toured the East Coast with the Pandemonium Puppet Company. After completing that they created their first together, “What a Clever idea!” which had giant puppets that grew to eight feet tall. Crabgrass Puppet Theatre has twice been awarded the prestigious Citation of Excellence from the American Center of the Union Internationale de la Marionette (UNIMA-USA), the highest honor in American puppetry, in 2001 and again in 2005. In 2008, Bonny Hall received a Commendation for Design in the Puppet Theatre from the Arlyn Award Foundation. They have given many thousands of performances in schools, libraries, museums, and arts festivals, and have performed at over two dozen regional, national and international puppetry festivals.  Who is Anansi the Spiderman? A book collection of Anansi Stories by Gerald McDermott, does your local library have a copy!? Have you ever heard of Anansi, the trickster Spiderman? Anansi the spider is one of the most important characters of West African and Caribbean folklore.  A spider with many names! He is also known as Ananse, Kwaku Ananse, and Anancy; and in the Southern United States he has evolved into Aunt Nancy.  Although he is a spider, Anansi often often acts and appears as a man. Anansi store are similar to trickster tales found in many Native American cultures about the coyote, raven or Iktomi.  Where do Anansi Stories Come From? The Anansi tales are believed to have originated from the Ashanti people in Ghana. (The word Anansi means "spider" in Akan.)  There is even a story in the collection of Anansi stories about WHERE the stories came from: Once there were no stories in the world. The Sky-God, Nyame, had them all. Anansi went to Nyame and asked how much they would cost to buy. Nyame set a high price: Anansi must bring back Onini the Python, Osebo the Leopard, the Mmoboro Hornets, and Mmoatia the dwarf. Anansi set about capturing these. First he went to where Python lived and debated out loud whether Python was really longer than the palm branch or not as his wife Aso says. Python overheard and, when Anansi explained the debate, agreed to lie along the palm branch. Because he cannot easily make himself completely straight a true impression of his actual length is difficult to obtain, so Python agreed to be tied to the branch. When he was completely tied, Anansi took him to Nyame. To catch the leopard, Anansi dug a deep hole in the ground. When the leopard fell in the hole Anansi offered to help him out with his webs. Once the leopard was out of the hole he was bound in Anansi's webs and was carried away. To catch the hornets, Anansi filled a calabash with water and poured some over a banana leaf he held over his head and some over the nest, calling out that it was raining. He suggested the hornets get into the empty calabash, and when they obliged, he quickly sealed the opening. To catch the dwarf he made a doll and covered it with sticky gum. He placed the doll under the Odum (Tree of Life) where the dwarfs play and put some yam in a bowl in front of it. When the dwarf came and ate the yam she thanked the doll which of course did not reply. Annoyed at its bad manners she struck it, first with one hand then the other. The hands stuck and Ananse captured her. Anansi handed his captives over to Nyame. Nyame rewarded him with the stories.

Arts Advocacy Event at PST

Meeting with State Representative Frank Smizik

April 18th | 6-7 PM at Puppet Showplace Theatre

State Representative Frank Smizik

Calling all arts-lovers! We invite you to join members of the Brookline arts community for a conversation with State Representative Frank Smizik (15th Norfolk) about the value of arts and culture to Massachusetts residents. As legislators consider a proposal to cut another $1.5 million from the Massachusetts Cultural Council's budget we are initiating this open forum. Refreshments will be served!

Please RSVP to Artistic Director Roxie Myhrum (artistic@puppetshowplace.org) if you think you will be able to attend.

What to expect: Earlier this month, MASSCreative hosted a meeting with state representatives and 25 arts and cultural leaders, at the Fuller Craft Museum. The discussion opened with relevant data on the allocation of funding for the arts. The evening ended with Rep. Cronin stating she would do everything she can based on what she had heard that night and a room full of applause. Read more...

MASSCreative empowers creative organizations and the public with a powerful voice that brings the attention and resources necessary to build vibrant, creative communities. MASSCreative works with creative leaders, working artists, arts educators and arts and cultural supporters to empower creative organizations and the public with a powerful voice to advocate for the resources and attention necessary to build vibrant, connected, and creative communities.  http://www.mass-creative.org/

Restoring Joy in Boston

The Puppet Showplace Theatre joins the many members of the Boston community in solidarity and mourning after the senseless attacks on the city yesterday. We want to thank all the first responders and medical personnel for taking action without hesitation to help both members of our own community and those visiting the city for the Marathon. During this time of uncertainty and loss, we hope that many of you will use the power of the arts, in whatever form, to begin to heal. 

If you are a parent and looking for ways to talk to your children about the events that took place at the Boston Marathon, take a look at this helpful webpage by 90.9wbur: CLICK HERE

GUEST BLOGGER

Graham Gardner- PST Staff Member

Hi PST folks, 

Graham Gardner,  PST Graphic Designer and Guest Blogger

I hope everyone is waking up safe and sound today. I rode the train early this morning and it felt almost like a ghost town. Even at 7am the train is easily half full of commuters but today there were only a handful of people on the red line heading toward the city. Later I passed a small unit of the National Guard on my way into North Station, all looked just about my age and with crisp, un-dirtied uniforms.

I'll spare you the Mr. Rogers quotes about helpers but the one thought I had this morning was that it was good to be amongst people, even just the few that braved the public commute. It's a strange turn of fate that my car would be in the shop this week and I'm forced to leave the bubble like solitude of a one-person drive to work. There is a lot to be shared in just a few passing glances between commuters today. 

I hope wherever you are--at PST, at one of the million other jobs we all have, or with friends or family--I hope that you are well and I hope that you are finding comfort in the people around you. As a New England institution, PST has been bringing beauty, art, and joy to the people of Boston (and beyond) for many years. I'm proud to be apart of that.

Sending thanks and well wishes to you all and the greater PST community.

Best,
Graham Gardner

PST Graphic Designer

APRIL VACA WEEK IS HERE!!!!!

School Vacation Week at PST

Need ideas for how to keep your children busy over April Vacation? Come to the theatre and catch a performance at PST! There are two amazing shows to choose from: “The Chicken Show” by Liz Joyce from Goat on a Boat puppet theatre in Long Island, NY, and fan favorite, Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers is back with “The legend of the Banana Kid”. Both shows have two performances each day.  How can you possibly choose between these two hilarious shows? You don't have to, come and see both!

The Chicken Show by Liz Joyce

Tues | April 16 | 10:30 AM & 1 PM

Wed | April 17 | 10:30 AM & 1 PM

Thurs | April 18 | 10:30 AM & 1 PM

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Henrietta, the singing chicken longs to be a star on Broadway, but the Mean Ol' Farmer is going to put her in a stew if she doesn't produce an egg by morning. Find out how Henrietta, with the help of her friends learns to believe in herself to make her dreams come true. The performance comes to life with Rod Puppets and masked/costumed characters.

About the performer: Liz Joyce is an accomplished performer whose puppets have entertained numerous audiences in the New England area. She has also appeared in festivals across the country, from New York to Chicago and even to Minnesota. Besides putting on shows, she serves as Regional Director for the Puppeteers of America and President of the Puppetry Guild of Greater New York.

Liz has also been in TV, appearing on long-running sitcom All My Children as Liz the Puppeteer. Recently she received an UNIMA Citation for her puppet operetta Sing a Song of Sixpence. The UNIMA Citation is the highest award in American puppetry.

The Legend of the Banana Kid 
by Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers

Fri | April 19 | 10:30 AM & 1 PM

Sat | April 20 | 1 & 3 PM

Sun April 21 | 1 & 3 PM

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In "The Legend of the Banana Kid" our friend Little Chucky meets a mysterious cowboy who takes him to a remote Western town that is being harassed by a seedy group of outlaws. Chucky, pretending to be a local hero, leads an effort to outsmart the thugs and bring justice back to the town using bananas as his weapon of choice. Riding on his trusty goat, Chucky encounters all kinds of wild Western fun. The show uses mouth and rod puppets.

About the performers: Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers is a small puppetry troupe based in Bar Harbor, Maine, and comprised of three siblings - Erik, Brian, and Robin Torbeck. Founded in 2000, Frogtown Mountain has performed at fairs, festivals, theatres, parades, schools, libraries, and some of the finest petting zoos on the East Coast. All their shows are written by the troupe and are performed with their hand-made puppets.

Vacation Week is Almost Here with Aesop's Fables!

Aesop's Fables! 
by WonderSpark Puppets

Thurs | April 11 | 10:30 AM

Fri  | April 12 | 10:30 AM

Sat | April 13 | 1 & 3 PM

Sun | April 14 | 1& 3 PM

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Are you counting the days until April School Vacation Week like we are? Before our Vaca-week programing is in full swing, stop by the theatre for the delightful performance of "Aesop's Fables" by WonderSpark Puppets! What better way to teach and entertain than with Aesop’s fables! Join us for a great time while learning lessons from these classic tales including "Lion and the Mouse" and "Tortoise and the "Hare."

About the Show:  A hilarious spin on Aesop's Fables with tabletop puppets performed by WonderSpark Puppets. This highly interactive performance of timeless moral stories includes 'The Lion and the Mouse', 'The Ant and The Grasshopper' and the 'Tortoise and the Hare.' Along the way, we also learn the four seasons, the power of kindness and good sportsmanship.

About the Performers: WonderSpark Puppets (New York City, NY) was founded by husband and wife team, Chad Williams and Lindsey “Z” Briggs who infuse fun and whimsy into all their performances. Z Briggs has worked as a professional puppeteer for the last 7 years as a performer and builder on numerous projects including most recently Alissa Hunnicutt's The Kid Inside, Jonny Clockworks' Edward Lear's Absurd Ditties, Lone Wolf Tribes' Bride (2009 UNIMA Award), and the character Lottie Lamb on the PBS kids show Seemore's Playhouse. Chad Williams is a filmmaker turned puppeteer, having shot and edited two puppetry documentaries: Puppet Fest '09 and Puppet Rampage.  http://wondersparkpuppets.com/

Where do the tales of Aesop come from? Who is Aesop? 

Legend has it, the tales known as Aesop’s fables were created by an ancient Greek slave who earned his freedom. The stories were some of the world's first morality tales, originating in the sixth century B.C. Aesop's fables use animal characters to mock human folly and are also the source of many enduring cultural images and idioms.

PST Re-Vamps Fan Favorite with LIVE MUSIC!

Brad Shur Performing "The Carrot Salesman" with Robot puppet

The Carrot Salesman by Brad Shur

Thurs & Fri | April 4 & 5 | 10:30am

Sat & Sun | April 6 & 7| 1pm & 3pm

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"OH DELICIOUS CARROT! 

You can WEAR it, or TEAR it! You can event SHARE it!  

And it tastes GREAT, when you put it on a PLATE! 

Would you like to buy a carrot?"

You have never seen "The Carrot Salesman" by PST Artist in Residence, Brad Shur quite like this before! For the first time ever, enjoy one of your favorite original stories come to life with a brand new music score performed LIVE by local musician, Chris Monti.

Hmmm...Chris Monti...that name sounds familiar, doesn't it? It should! Brad and Chris collaborated on PST's newest production, "Yankee Peddler: Songs and Stories from Old New Englad" this January during our "New Year: New Shows!" series.  Read more about this amazing shadow puppet sing-a-long adventure through Americana on the puppet blog: CLICK HERE

The Carrot Salesman is an original story by PST's own Artist in Residence Brad Shur. The tale follows a door-to-door carrot salesrabbit who is not very good at his job. But through his unsuccessful efforts to sell carrots to elephants, jellyfish, moles, and robots, he discovers a way to help all of the animals. Performed with colorful two-dimensional table-top puppets, live music and fun audience interaction! Recommended for ages 2 and up.

Brad Shur has been PST's Artist in Residence since 2009. Brad has been professionally involved in puppetry for almost 15 years! He began as a performer with the Providence puppet and mask company Big Nazo while studying film and animation at the Rhode Island School of Design. He has worked in various capacities with Wood & Strings Theatre (Tennessee), and Vermont PuppetTree, and as a builder has designed and fabricated puppets for American Idol, Dollywood, and other theaters and performers from Austin, Texas to Boston, Massachusetts.

ABOUT THE COMPOSER:

Michael Dobiel was exposed to the saxophone at the age of ten and gradually expanded into other instruments. Michael earned a B.A. in saxophone performance and composition from Westfield State College and a M.M. in Composition from the University of Louisville. In 2009 he toured Serbia with Serious Play! Theatre and Ensemble, as part of their production Milosevic at the Hague. More recently, he has taken part in the Boston scene, in collaborations such as Axe to Ice's The Mary Dolan Show.

MUSIC PERFORMED BY:

Chris Monti

Chris Monti is a writer and singer with original material covering a variety of stylistic genres. Playing both acoustic and electric Chris plays. "some old time folkiness, country-blues, African music, rock and roll, hippie music, Indian music [and] a lot of improvisation." Chris fingerpicks, flatpicks, uses open tunings and plays slide. He also plays harmonica, banjo, mandolin, dobro, piano, lap steel and kazoo.

Become a Member this Spring at PST!

SPRING MEMBERSHIP DRIVE!

April 1 - April 21, 2013

Playing with puppets in the lobby

When you become a member of Puppet Showplace Theatre, not only will you be supporting a local non-profit arts organization, but you save on tickets, store purchases, birthday parties, and more!

Starting at just $50, there are membership packages designed for families of all sizes, and individuals as well! 

VIEW MEMBERSHIP PACKAGES

April Membership Drive: Anyone who becomes a member or renews their membership between April 1-21 is entered to win a family pack of 4 tickets to the Wheelock Family Theatre 2013-2014 season! (find more info below!)

Members make an impact!

Your support allows us to continue presenting quality performances and workshops all year long in our historic, intimate theatre. As a non-profit organization, only 60% of our operating costs are covered by ticket sales, so the rest comes from generous members and donors like you.

Benefits of PST membership

We thank our members for their generosity by providing special savings and benefits, Including:

• Discounts on tickets, up to 33% off!
• Discounts on purchases in our store!
• Discounts on birthday party rentals!
• Discounts on workshops & classes!
• Invitation to members only events!
• Priority seating, and more!

BECOME A MEMBER


See the full list of membership benefits:
  click here

MEMBERS ONLY EVENT!

This April, we invite our members to GO BANANAS with fan favorite, Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers!

To show our appreciation for PST members, we are hosting a special members-only post-show reception after the 3:00pm performance of Legend of the Banana Kid on Sunday, April 21st.  The reception will begin at 4:00pm.

• Banana Snacks!
• Behind the Scenes!
• Meet the Performers!

The post-show event is FREE for members! To purchase tickets to the 3pm performance of Legend of the Banana Kid, click here.

Not a member? Now is the perfect time to join!

BECOME A MEMBER AND ENTER TO WIN!

Discounted tickets to see puppet shows at PST, AND the chance to win 4 FREE TICKETS to the Wheelock Family Theatre, 2013-2014 season? It has never been so sweet to become a member at PST!  Anyone who becomes a member or renews their membership between April 1-21 is entered to win.

Wheelock Family Theatre: is a professional, non-profit theatre associated with Actor’s Equity, the union of professional actors and stage managers. Located on the campus of Wheelock College in Boston's Fenway District, Wheelock Family Theatre seeks to improve the lives of children and families through the shared experience of live theatre.

Shows in 2013-2014 season:

The Hobbit (Oct/Nov)
Hairspray (Jan/Feb), 
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (April/May).

MORE INFO

GIANT PUPPETS IN THE VILLAGE!

Wellness in the Village Fair

Saturday, April 6 at 1:30-4pm

Puppet Showplace Theatre will be participating in Brookline Village's First Annual Health and Wellness Fair! Stop by the theatre for a performance of "The Carrot Salesman", or join us for a Giant Puppet workshop at the Brookline Town Hall!

Wellness in the village is a local collaborative with the goal of connecting the wealth of health and wellness practitioners in Brookline Village to our community!  During the Wellness Fair at the Brookline Town Hall, meet teachers and practitioners, along with a program of short talks and classes to introduce you to the diversity of styles and modalities available in Brookline Village!

MORE INFO

PST EVENT SCHEDULE

The Carrot Salesman by Brad Shur

Location: Puppet Showplace Theatre

Time: 1pm & 3pm

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About the show: The Carrot Salesman is the original story of a door-to-door carrot sales rabbit who is not very good at his job. But through his unsuccessful efforts to sell carrots to elephants, jellyfish, moles, and robots, he discovers a way to help all of the animals. Performed with colorful two-dimensional table-top puppets and fun audience interaction.  Recommended for ages 3 and up.

Tickets: $12/General Admission, $8/PST Members.

Giant Puppet Workshop

Location: Brookline Town Hall

Time: 1:30-4pm

Join us after the 1pm performance of "The Carrot Salesman" for a hands-on interactive Giant Puppets workshop!  Following the performance, PST staff will lead a group from the theatre to the Wellness Fair at the Brookline Town Hall, OR you can meet us there!  You can drop-in anytime during the fair and try out giant puppets on loan from the Puppeteer's Cooperative Giant Puppet Lending Library, and get a giant puppet workout with members of PST's giant puppet class.  This workshop is sponsored in part by the Brookline Commission for the Arts.

Giant Puppet, Goldie made by "Think Big" Giant Puppet class at PST, 2011

Bunnies-a-Bound at PST!

Brer Rabbit & Brer Bear

"Brer Rabbit Tales" by Magical Moonshine Theatre

Thurs | March 28 | 10:30 AM

Fri | March 29 | 10:30 AM & 1 PM

Sat | March 30 | 1 PM & 3PM 

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Kick off Easter weekend with the most infamous trickster rabbit of them all- Brer Rabbit!  Not enough bunny for you? Not to worry! We have more bunnies through next week in "The Carrot Salesman" performed by Brad Shur, PST Artist-In-Residence!

About the show: Brer Rabbit is more "April Fool's" than the Easter Bunny, but his antics are hopping great fun! In this hilarious show by Magical Moonshine Theatre (on tour from California!), our famous floppy-eared trickster continually tries to outwit the likes of Brer Fox and Brer Bear. Magical Moonshiner Michael grew up in Alabama, listening to the tales of Brer Rabbit, filled with lore, wisdom and shenanigans. In Tales of Brer Rabbit he and wife, Valerie, blend together some of their favorite folktales, adding a little banjo music and singing to create a show that is clever fun for children and adults alike.

The Carrot Salesman by Brad Shur, PST Artist-In-Residence

Thurs | April 4 | 10:30am
Friday | April 5 | 10:30am & 1pm
Sat & Sun | April 6 & 7 | 10:30am & 1pm

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"The Carrot Salesman" is the original story of a door-to-door carrot salesrabbit who is not very good at his job. But through his unsuccessful efforts to sell carrots to elephants, jellyfish, moles, and robots, he discovers a way to help all of the animals. Performed with colorful two-dimensional table-top puppets and fun audience interaction. This show is recommended for ages 3 and up.

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS:

Magical Moonshine Theatre has been recognized for fine quality programming, with emphasis on puppetry, mask and music since 1979. MMTheatre performances have been seen coast to coast in the U.S., as well as internationally with performances in 15 countries in 8 different languages. The group has received numerous awards and honors on the national and international level. MMTheatre director and founder Michael Nelson studied puppetry at the International Puppetry Institute with the late Jim Henson of the Muppets. http://www.magicalmoonshine.org/

Michael & Valerie Nelson

ABOUT BRER RABBIT TALES:
The tale of the trickster Brer Rabbit originated in African Folklore and then carried on by African slaves in the New World. Once there it acquired attributes of similar Native American tricksters. The legend was popularized in the United Sates in the stories of Joel Chandler in the late 1800’s. The overall theme is a small, weak, but clever ingenious force can overcome a larger, stronger, but dull-witted power. Brer Rabbit continually outsmarts his bigger animal associates, Brer Fox, Brer Wolf, and Brer Bear.

Go on an Arabian Adventure!

An Arabian Adventure

By Tanglewood Marionettes

Thurs | March 21 | 10:30 AM

Fri | March 22 | 10:30 AM & 3:30 PM

Sat & Sun | March 23 & 24 | 1 & 3 PM

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Recommended for ages 4 and up.

About the show: The adventure features over a dozen beautifully hand-crafted marionettes and exquisite “story-book” style scenery, “An Arabian Adventure” tells the tale of a Persian prince who is thrown into a dungeon because of his love for a beautiful princess. Facing danger at every turn, the courageous prince must battle his way out of the underground prison to save his princess from a tragic fate.

The program is presented with the marionettists in full view, so that the audience can witness firsthand the mechanics of puppet manipulation.

About the performer: Tanglewood Marionettes was founded in 1993 by Anne Ware and Peter Schaefer, Tanglewood Marionettes is a nationally touring marionette theater based in New England. There repertoire consists primarily of classic tales performed by skilled puppeteers who have spent many years perfecting their art.

Perhaps you have seen them perform locally at places such as The Children’s Museum in Boston, The Yale Art Gallery or First Night, just to name a few.

Tanglewood Marionettes

What is a Marionette?
Marionettes are puppets that are manipulated by strings or rods. They are one of the oldest forms of puppets with their roots going back to ancient Egypt were they were created out of ivory, wire and wood or clay. In Rome ivory dolls that could be articulated through the use of rods from above have been found in tombs. Puppeteers in Sicily continue to use similar puppets to this day!