News >> 2012-13 Puppetry Festival

2012-13 Puppetry Festival

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15 - 10:30 am
Sleeping Beauty
Performed by Tanglewood Marionettes
Sponsored by KIDAROOS at Lakeville Interiors

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22 - 10:30 am
A Holiday Fantasy and The Three Wishes
Performed by Spring Valley Puppets
Sponsored by Copes Rubbish Removal

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2 - 10:30 am
The Lion , The Mouse, & Other Tales
Performed by Crabgrass Puppet Theater
Sponsored by Laufer Teknik

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9 - 10:30 am
Caps for Sale
Performed by PuppeTree
Sponsored by Tracy Paul & Co

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16 - 10:30 am
A Woodland Cinderella
Performed by Deborah Costine Puppeteer
Sponsored by Fox Crossing Equestrian

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23* - 10:30 am & Noon
The Frog Prince
Performed by Pumpernickel Puppets
Sponsored by Temenos Advisory & Quassy Amusement Park

*Coincides with WMS' annual Kid Expo event.

SATURDAY, MAY 11* - 10:30 am
The Elephant Child
Performed by The Puppet People
Sponsored by Copes Rubbish Removal

The Washington Montessori School in New Preston is excited to announce its 7th Annual Puppetry Festival. The season will begin Saturday, December 15 with a 10:30 a.m. performance of “Sleeping Beauty” by Tanglewood Marionettes, a popular annual staple of the festival.

Tanglewood Marionettes’ production of Sleeping Beauty begins with a brief demonstration of the art of puppetry. Through humorous interplay, the audience will learn about various forms of puppets, from the simple glove puppet to the sophisticated marionette.

“We are always excited to have Tanglewood Marionettes perform for us,” said Jill Skilton, WMS Director of Communications. “Their marionettes are gorgeous and their sets are stunning, plus who doesn’t love a classic fairy tale? When they performed Cinderella for us a dozen or so little girls came dressed in their princess gowns. It was fantastic.” 

A classic tale appealing to children of all ages, “Sleeping Beauty” begins in King Felix’s great hall with the celebration of Princess Aurora’s birth. The party goes awry when the wicked witch arrives and curses Princess Aurora. Will the curse come true? Will someone with a “true heart” appear? You will know when you see Tanglewood Marionettes’ presentation of this beloved tale. Beautifully hand-crafted marionettes are brought to life by a master puppeteer as the dramatic events unfold.

The festival will continue on Saturday, December 22 with a 10:30 a.m. performance of “A Holiday Fantasy” & “The Three Wishes” by Michael Graham's Spring Valley Puppets. Enchanted toys, fairy magic and a clever mouse are just some of the surprises in "A Holiday Fantasy," an original puppet production. In “The Three Wishes,” a young boy named Henry meets a magic elf that grants him three wishes. This folktale favorite is flavored with a dash of dialogue, a generous helping of humor and the magical plot twists that audiences know and love.

“This is going to be a such a special day. It’s just in time for Christmas and both productions really capture the magic of the holiday season,” said Ms. Skilton. “Children of all ages are just going to love them.”

The Puppetry Festival will resume in February 2013 with four consecutive performances on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.

“We are so glad to be able to continue to offer this festival to the public,” said Ms. Skilton. “We are thankful to have such generous sponsors step forward to help us each year.”

Copes Rubbish Removal of Watertown is sponsoring two performances for us this season—“A Holiday Fantasy” and a special Mother’s Day Weekend performance of “The Elephant Child” by the Puppet People on Saturday, May 11 at 10:30 a.m. Lakeville Interiors and their children’s store “Kidaroos” is sponsoring “Sleeping Beauty” by Tanglewood Marionettes. Crabgrass Puppets present “The Lion, The Mouse & Other Tales” on February 2 sponsored by Laufer Teknik. The Puppetree repsents “Caps for Sale” on February 9 sponsored by Tracy Paul & Co.  Deborah Costine presents “A Woodland Cinderella on February 16 sponsored by Fox Crossing Equestrian. Pumpernickel Puppets presents “The Frog Prince” sponsored by Temenos Advisory with an extra performance at noon sponsored by Quassy Amusement Park.

Puppet show tickets are $8 each and can be purchased at the door. Please call 860.868.0551 for more information.