The Puppet Co. Announces Its 2011-12 Season

The Puppet Co., a nonprofit children's theater specializing in puppetry, has announced its 2011-12 season, bringing back a number of very popular shows from prior years. All shows will be performed at the Puppet Co. Playhouse, located in the North Arcade building of Glen Echo Park.

The 2011-12 season schedule is as follows:

Tales of Beatrix Potter (Licensed by Frederick Warne & Co.)
Playwright: Terry Snyder
Director: Terry Snyder
Featuring: Christopher Hudert from "Applause Unlimited"
Run: Sept. 16, 2011 - Oct. 9, 2011
Days & Times: Fridays at 10 & 11:30 a.m. Saturdays & Sundays at 11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.

A fun production with three stories - "The Tale of Two Bad Mice," "The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck," and "The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher" - that come to life as a young girl dreams and plays alone in her room.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Playwright: Len Piper, Pat Piper and Christopher Piper
Director: Christopher Piper
Run: Oct. 13, 2011 - Nov. 18, 2011
Days & Times: Thursdays & Fridays at 10 & 11:30 a.m. Saturdays & Sundays at 11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.

A marionette romp in which three goats attempt to "trip-trap-tromp" to where the grass is greener. Three variety numbers precede the performance as an introduction to the Art of Puppetry.

The Nutcracker
Director: Christopher Piper
Run: Nov. 25, 2011 - Dec. 31, 2011
Days & Times: Thursdays & Fridays at 10 & 11:30 a.m. Saturdays & Sundays at 11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. Please see our website for additional shows and times.

An annual holiday treat with larger-than-life costume characters and marionettes. This family-favorite was as Helen Hayes Awards Nominee in 2010 in the category of "Outstanding Production, Theatre for Young Audiences."

Peter and the Wolf
Playwright: Len Piper and Christopher Piper
Director: Christopher Piper
Run: Jan. 13, 2012 - Feb. 19, 2012
Days & Times: Fridays at 10 & 11:30 a.m. Saturdays & Sundays at 11:30 a.m. &
1 p.m.

This one-man production is based on the popular tale of good versus evil and includes an introduction to the instruments in the score that are used to signify each character.

Mozart's "The Magic Flute"
Playwright: Christopher Piper
Director: Allan Stevens
Run: Feb. 23, 2011 - March 11, 2011
Days & Times: Thursdays & Fridays at 10 & 11:30 a.m. Saturdays & Sundays at 11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.

With Mozart's beautiful music, dazzling special effects and exquisite animal marionettes, this elaborate production serves as a great introduction to opera.

Rapunzel
Playwright: Duane T. Bowers
Director: Allan Stevens
Run: March 15, 2012 - April 8, 2012
Days & Times: Thursdays & Fridays at 10 & 11:30 a.m. Saturdays & Sundays at 11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.

The Puppet Co. uses the charm and simplicity of hand puppets to delight younger audiences as "Witch Wartsmith" goes to great lengths to keep Rapunzel out of the hands of a rather handsome prince.

Pinocchio
Playwright: Vera C. Hughes
Director: Allan Stevens
Run: April 12, 2012 - May 31, 2012
Days & Times: Thursdays & Fridays at 10 & 11:30 a.m. Saturdays & Sundays at 11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.

Rod puppets tell Carlo Collodi's story of what it means to be "real." The little wooden boy goes on one adventure after another, discovering that the easy way isn't always the right way.

Goldilocks
Playwright: Christopher Piper
Director: Allan Stevens
Run: June 8, 2012 - July 15, 2012
Days & Times: Thursdays & Fridays at 10 & 11:30 a.m. Saturdays & Sundays at 11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.

Was it breaking-and-entering? Or was it just an innocent mistake? Goldilocks is being tried in court! After hearing the Bear Family's side of the story as well as Goldilocks', the audience gets to decide the verdict.


The Puppet Co. celebrates its 28th anniversary this year. The Puppet Co. is the first recipient of the Cherry Adler Award from the Maryland State Arts Council for excellence in Children's Theater. This internationally recognized children's theater serves approximately 80,000 children and adults annually in the D.C. metropolitan area, including visitors from all over the U.S. and the world.

The Puppet Co. is a non-profit organization producing puppet theater, especially for children, as an art form synthesizing the visual and performing arts. Hand puppets, rod puppets, marionettes and shadow puppets are used in fully staged productions of the traditional and original stories which comprise its ever-growing repertory.