The Center for Puppetry Arts has announced 2018-2019 season, which coincides with the nonprofit’s 40th anniversary.
In addition to bringing back a few familiar favorites, the Center will debut a new Family Series production, expand its adult audience offerings and introduce new puppets, artifacts and events in the Worlds of Puppetry Museum.
Anchoring the Family Series, is the world premiere of the Center’s adaptation of the beloved children’s book Harold and the Purple Crayon. Originally written by Crockett Johnson, the new show has been adapted by the Center’s Artistic Director Jon Ludwig. Fan favorites, including Peter Pan and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, will also return. To continue its award-winning Theater for the Very Young programming, the Center will present The Tortoise, the Hare, & Other Aesop’s Fables.
The Center will extend its Sensory Friendly Programming initiatives in the upcoming season, offering special programming for select Family Series productions. Modifications to the performances, Create-A-Puppet Workshop and the Worlds of Puppetry Museum will be made to allow audiences with unique needs, specifically audience members on the Autism Spectrum, to enjoy programming in a more comfortable atmosphere.
This season, the Center will more than double its New Directions Series offerings to five performances. As part of this year’s line-up, international artists from Tel Aviv, France and Norway will present limited runs of their original works, Paper Cut and Ashes. Annual favorites National Puppet Slam and Xperimental Puppetry Theater (XPT) will return to the stage as well as cult classic The Ghastly Dreadfuls.
Adult programming will also be extended beyond shows with the introduction of the Puppet Party Series. The new series will offer three special events for guests 21 and over including Puppets and Pints, Galentine’s Day and Puppets and Pinot, which will include live music, light bites, bar games, beer and wine cash bar and, of course, puppets. Guests can also look forward to a Fizz and Foam brunch-style event where attendees can create their own foam mouth puppet while enjoying light bites and mimosas.
The special exhibit Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: World of Myth and Magic will open in the Dean DuBose Smith Special Exhibits Gallery on Aug. 31. To celebrate, the Center will host The Dark Crystal Ball on Aug. 30.
For more information about all the upcoming events, visit puppet.org.