More about… “Hansel and Gretel” by National Marionette Theatre

Wednesday and Thursday | January 5 & 6 | 10:30AM

Saturday and Sunday | January 8 & 9 | 1PM & 3PM

About the show: In the newest production from National Marionette Theatre, two master puppeteers bring the most famous of the Grimm Brothers’ stories to life. Featuring exquisitely crafted marionettes, scrolling scenery and the beautiful music of Engelbert Humperdinck. Performed with marionettes. This show is recommended for ages 5 & up.

About National Marionette Theatre: National Marionette Theatre is one of the oldest continually running marionette theaters 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. Noted for their amazing manipulation technique and imaginative fully staged productions, National Marionette Theater is committed to bringing you the very best in family entertainment.

The company has received critical acclaim both here in the United States and abroad and was the first American Marionette Theater to receive the prestigious UNIMA award for excellence in puppetry.

National Marionette Theatre [official site]

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More about… “Little Red and the Gingerbread Man” by Barefoot Puppets

Sunday | December 26 | 1PM & 3PM
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday | December 27, 28 & 29 | 10:30AM & 1PM

About the show: Two tales rolled into one! This show combines two well-loved, classic tales to create an original, fun-filled romp through fairy tales. Join Little Red and she pursues a mischievous Gingerbread cookie through the woods to Grandma’s house. Original music, snowy scenery, and everyone’s favorite Big Bad Wolf make this a seasonal favorite!

Performed with hand puppets. This show is recommended for ages 3 and up.

About Barefoot Puppets: Barefoot Puppet Theatre celebrates the cultural diversity and natural wonders of our world through the art of puppetry. Contemporary adaptations of world folktales, classic tales, myths, and true stories combine with original scripts and meticulously crafted puppets, scenery, and staging to create unique theatrical experiences for young audiences and their families.

They have been building and performing original works since 1997 when founder and director, Heidi Rugg, began building puppet shows from the basement of her home in Richmond, Virginia. From these humble beginnings, the company has grown significantly and now tours nationally.

Barefoot Puppets [official site]
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More About... "Holiday Fantasy" by Spring Valley Puppet Theater

Wednesday & Thursday| December 22 & 23 | 10:30AM
Friday | December 24 | 10:30AM & 1PM

About the show: Enchanted toys, fairy magic, and a clever mouse are just some of the surprises in a Holiday Fantasy. The program includes The Three Wishes, a humorous folktale that teaches the valuable lesson to be careful what you wish for. This performance features beautiful handcrafted puppets and scenery, and a delightful musical score. A holiday treat for the whole family!

Performed with hand puppets. This show is recommended for ages 4 and up.

About Spring Valley Puppet Theater: 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.

Spring Valley Puppet Theater [official site]

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More about… “Sleeping Beauty” by Tanglewood Marionettes

Saturday and Sunday | December 18 & 19 | 1PM & 3PM

About the show: In this retelling of the classic fairytale of finding love with a true heart, a painted storybook opens to reveal each scene. Performed with marionettes. This show is recommended for ages 4 and up.

About Tanglewood Marionettes: Peter Schaefer was born into a family of puppeteers and has been performing with hand puppets, rod puppets and marionettes since he was a child. After refining his skills with a local puppet company for several years, Peter purchased a marionette show from a retiring Boston puppeteer and launched his own company: Mountain Marionettes. After touring nationally for two years, in 1993 Peter decided to join with a fellow puppeteer and form a new company: Tanglewood Marionettes. Over his career, Peter has brought his unique marionette artistry to hundreds of thousands of children and families across the country!

Tanglewood Marionettes [official site]
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