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Topic: Headline News
Puppet shows in July at Puppetfest Midwest
Published Online Jun 20, 2012 - 12:50 PM
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Puppeteers from around the world will be arriving in Trenton in July to celebrate the 10th annual PuppetFest MidWest.

Billy the Liar at Trenton

PuppetFest MidWest will be held on July 10-15 on the campus of North Central Missouri College and at the Hoover Theater in Trenton. Festival Directors Peter Allen and Debbie Lutzky Allen from Jamesport are pleased to announce the puppet performers for this season. This event is funded by the Rumpelstiltskin Society, a not-for-profit corporation created to inspire, strengthen and renew commitment to live puppet theatre. Additional funding for the performances is provided by the Missouri Arts Council. PuppetFest MidWest registrants attend an entire week of puppetry workshops taught by some of the best puppeteers in North America. Puppet shows and a new Puppetry Exhibit are open to the public.
If you have talked to anyone who attended performances at any of the last nine PuppetFest MidWest events, you will find converts to the philosophy that puppets are not just for children. Through the skill of the puppeteer, audiences can believe that the puppet they see before them is actually thinking, feeling, moving and living at that very moment.
This year, PuppetFest MidWest presents five remarkable puppet shows. All performances will be held in Trenton at the Hoover Theater on the third floor of the Grundy County Jewett Norris Library. General Admission is $5. These puppet performances are for family audiences. Some of this year’s performances are recommended for adults and older children.
On Tuesday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m., The Huber Marionettes from Tennessee return to Trenton to present SUSPENDED ANIMATION. Audiences who attended this dazzling marionette performance at previous PuppetFest MidWests are still raving about it. Come and share the excitement! For adults and children 10 years of age and older.
On Wednesday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m., Drew Allison of Grey Seal Puppets from North Carolina will perform the enchanting tale of THE NIGHTINGALE. Bored with the constant barrage of elaborate gifts from his people, the Emperor seeks something else... the beautiful song of a simple gray bird, the nightingale. The bird's song enchants everyone in the palace, until the arrival of a curious box with a picture of the nightingale inside. Adapted from the Hans Christian Andersen story, The Nightingale is presented in a unique style. The puppeteer as storyteller, takes on the guise of several characters as well as bringing to life the large rod and shadow puppets. With original music and a Dr. Seuss inspired design, The Nightingale is truly enchanting. For adults and children 5 years of age and older.
On Thursday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m., the Kurt Hunter Marionettes from Minnesota perform SOCK PUPPET SERENADE. Singing socks on strings. Dancing box on strings. A dozen intricate marionettes are the featured performers in this delightful, amusing and eclectic showcase. Each carefully handcrafted marionette reflects the more than twenty years that puppeteer Kurt Hunter has spent perfecting his craft. There’s truly something for everyone, young and old.
On Friday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m., Toybox Theatre from North Carolina will present BILLY THE LIAR, a High Energy Puppet Farce For Kids Of All Ages. Follow Billy and his friend Suzy as he tells more and more lies and gets into more and more TROUBLE. Learn new vocabulary and life lessons. Plus Ponies! Told through the use of Czech style rod marionettes, toys, and an over-sized toy theatre, this wild and crazy show will be the talk of Trenton. Featuring lively performances by Keith Shubert and Madison Cripps, with music by Valerie Meiss. For adults and children five years of age and older.
On Saturday, July 14 at 7:30 p.m., Jim Napolitano of Nappy’s Puppets from Connecticut will delight us with JACK AND THE BEANSTALK. This show is based on the Appalachian folktale and is presented in a four part miniseries. In between this American classic there is a roller coaster ride of short stories, vignettes and songs from children’s literature, traditional puppet theater, and the imagination of the puppeteer. The show features hand crafted shadow figures and is fast paced, action-packed and full of laughs. For adults and children five years of age and older.
These talented performers make up the roster of performances at PuppetFest MidWest for this year. We hope that you will be able to attend at least one of these wonderful shows.
There will be an Exhibit of puppets at the Dorris Rider Art Gallery at North Central Missouri College in Trenton. Admission is free but donations will be accepted. Large groups such as church/fraternal organizations, Scouts or Red Hat Ladies are encouraged to reserve a guided tour. During the Grand Opening of the Puppet Exhibit on Wednesday, July 11 at 4:30 p.m., the exhibitors will be on hand to answer questions about their creations. The exhibit will be open to the public on Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturday, July 14 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Volunteers will be there to answer your questions about the puppet exhibit.
Tickets for the performances may be reserved but must be picked up at the box office at least 15 minutes before the performance. For reservations or more information about PuppetFest MidWest, please call (660) 684-6825 or go online to www.puppetfestival.org.




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