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6th Annual Puppetry Festival

The popular Puppetry Festival at Washington Montessori School in New Preston will be back in February 2012. WMS will host a series of four puppet performances throughout the month on Saturday mornings at 10:30. 

The puppet shows are open to the public and are geared to pre-school and elementary school children. Tickets are $8.

The Festival will kick off on Saturday, February 4 with a performance of “Cinderella” by Tanglewood Marionettes of Massachusetts. Their production of "Cinderella" is based on the original beloved tale, but with a few new surprises. Their portrayal of “Cinderella” includes a cast of more than 30 lavishly costumed marionettes and a handful of beautiful settings. This show is sponsored by Fox Crossing Equestrian.

The festival will continue with a performance of “Lion’s Whiskers” by Catskill Puppet Theater of New York on Saturday, February 11. “Lion’s Whiskers” is based on a traditional Ethiopian folktale and features original music and a multitude of masks and almost-life-sized puppets.  This show is sponsored by Pet Acoustics.

On Saturday, February 18, the Puppet People of New York will perform an original piece called “Puppet Potpourri,” a fun variety show accompanied by musical favorites like “the Entertainer” and “the Sorcerer’s Apprentice.” This show includes a variety of puppets from hand puppets, mouth puppets and marionettes. “Puppet Potpourri” came together after husband and wife team, Mark Carrigan and Michelle Smith-Carrigan, started to brainstorm using both of their favorite puppets—hers, a marionette, and his, a mouth puppet. “And we thought wouldn’t that be a great kind of show,” said Smith-Carrigan. “to introduce people who may not be that familiar with puppetry, or maybe have never seen a puppet show at all to some very difference type of puppets that can exist.” This show is sponsored by Copes Rubbish Removal of Watertown.

The final installment of the Puppetry Festival will be Saturday, February 25 with two performances of “Sir George and the Dragon” by Pumpernickel Puppets at 10:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. “Sir George and the Dragon” includes a cast of colorful puppet characters, audience participation, live voices and sound effects. This show is sponsored by Quassy Amusement Park and Temenos Advisory.