August 29, 2018 | Ginger Jenne

Ballard Announces 2018 Fall Puppet Performance Series of Family-Friendly Productions

The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry at the University of Connecticut will host its Fall Puppet Performance Series on four Saturdays from Sept. to Dec. 2018.

(Left) Sarah Nolen in The Fairy Tailor; (Right) John McDonough of Pumpernickel Puppets

The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry at the University of Connecticut will host its Fall Puppet Performance Series on four Saturdays from Sept. to Dec. 2018, featuring outstanding works of puppet theater by professional puppeteers from across New England and beyond. Each show will be performed twice, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. All performances will take place at the Ballard Institute Theater located at 1 Royce Circle in Downtown Storrs.

The schedule of the Fall Puppet Performance Series includes the following:

Sept. 29: The Fairy Circus by Tanglewood Marionettes
The Fairy Circus features over twenty beautifully handcrafted marionettes, and is a showcase for turn-of-the-century-style trick puppetry. The puppets will dance, play instruments, juggle, contort, transform, and fly through the air with the greatest of ease, all to the best-loved music of favorite composers! Recommended for ages 4+.

Oct. 27: Sir George and the Dragon by Pumpernickel Puppets
Join an adventurous princess as she journeys to Mystery Mountain to visit the Great Green Dragon. Along the way you’ll meet Zelda the babysitter, a silly bat, Sir George and his clumsy dog, and of course the lovable dragon. Will Sir George slay the dragon? Not to worry, everything ends happily in this fun show. Presented with large colorful hand puppets and live voices and sound effects. Recommended for ages 3+.

Nov. 10: The Fairy Tailor by Sarah Nolen
Meet the Fairy Tailor, hard at work in her enchanted shop, where dressing racks and laundry baskets are known to have a mind of their own. Watch as she transforms everyday garments into extraordinary characters, and shares stories of bravery, from “Little Red Riding Hood(ie),” to “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” With the audience’s help, the Fairy Tailor summons the courage to take a stand against a giant, crafting a solution that combines cleverness with creativity. Recommended for ages 4+.

Dec. 1: The Gingerbread Man by WonderSpark Puppets
“Run, run, as fast as you can–you can’t catch me I’m the Gingerbread Man!”  The Gingerbread Man is the classic story of a little running cookie–with a Christmas twist. Watch as the Gingerbread Man outwits and outruns various hungry animals–and figures out what he really wants for Christmas. This handpuppet show is performed in a traditional puppet booth. Recommended for ages 3+.

For more information call 860-486-8580 or visit bimp.uconn.edu.