Center for Puppetry Arts to Unlock THE SECRET GARDEN This Month

Center for Puppetry Arts unlocks THE SECRET GARDEN, by Simpich Marionettes of Colorado Springs, for one week only, running February 23-28, 2016.

For one week only, award-winning puppeteer David Simpich will perform his one man tour da force, THE SECRET GARDEN. Based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's class British novel, Simpich interprets the story for the puppet theatre using hand-carved marionettes he designed and crafted specifically for this work. Known for his vocal agility and range, Simpich performs all of the characters in this mesmerizing tale of a young woman who discovers a secret garden and the mysteries hidden within.

Simpich's career as a puppeteer began when he stared at a handmade marionette hanging in a Seattle bookstore and realized that the handcrafted Simpich Character Dolls he learned to design, build and sell with his parents in the basement of their Colorado Springs home could be more than beautiful objects; they could be used in a dynamic and intimate style of the storytelling for the theatre. With their fine, meticulously sculpted heads, hand-painted faces and superbly crafted costumes, Simpich uses his puppets to create performances with a signature, distinctive style.

Now in his 30th year designing and performing original marionette productions, David Simpich returns to the Center for Puppetry Arts to perform a limited-engagement production of THE SECRET GARDEN. Simpich has created numerous original shows for the puppet theatre and has received some of the most prestigious awards in the field of puppetry: four Citations for Excellence from UNIMA-USA (puppetry's OSCAR) and The President's Award from the Puppeteers of America. Center for Puppetry Arts Artistic Director Jon Lugwig notes, "Beyond his finely honed skills as a puppeteer and designer, David's vocal abilities that are truly extraordinary and not to be missed."

THE SECRET GARDEN is at the Center for Puppetry Arts for one week only: February 23-28, 2016, playing Tuesday-Thursday: 10:30 a.m.; Friday-Saturday: 8 p.m.; and Sunday: 5 p.m. On Friday, February 26, guests are invited to enjoy a FREE talkback following the performance. Center for Puppetry Arts is located at 1404 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30309.

Tickets to the performance are $10.25 (Members) and $20.50 (Nonmembers). Group rates are available, and tickets may be purchased online at www.puppet.org or by calling 404-873-3391. For more information, visit www.puppet.org/perform/secretgarden.shtml.

Center for Puppetry Arts is a unique cultural treasure -- a magical place where children and adults are educated, enlightened, and entertained. Since 1978, the Center has introduced millions of visitors to the wonder and art of puppetry and has touched the lives of many through enchanting performances, curriculum-based workshops, and the hands-on Museum as well as Distance Learning and Outreach programs. Center for Puppetry Arts is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization and is supported in part by contributions from corporations, foundations, government agencies, and individuals. Major funding is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners and the City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs. These programs are also supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. GCA is a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Center is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre; Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA/USA/ASSITEJ); and International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY).The Center also serves as headquarters of UNIMA-USA, the American branch of Union Internationale de la Marionnette, the international puppetry organization.

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