Center for Puppetry Arts Sets 2015-16 Season

In the midst of a highly anticipated expansion and renovation project, the Center for Puppetry Arts announces its 2015-2016 performance season, filled with classic tales, memorable characters and plenty of puppet fun for the entire family! The 16-show lineup features a brand new Center-produced show, a few returning favorites and a number of notable new and returning guest artist engagements.

Highlights of the 2015-2016 Family Series include Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type playing June 9-July 26. In this brand-new show adapted from the award-winning book by Doreen Cronin with illustrations by Betsy Lewin, barnyard fun will ensue as Farmer Brown encounters cows that type, chickens on strike, ducks that run amuck, and more shenanigans. The Center will also bring back their popular Theatre for the Very Young production The Tortoise, the Hare, & Other Aesop's Fables, an interactive and cheerful show performed in a circus setting. Atlanta's favorite holiday tradition also soars back into town, as Rudolph the Red-Nosed ReindeerTM once again lights up the stage during the holiday season!

Top-notch touring productions are set to grace the puppet stage as part of the Family Series. Tears of Joy Theatre returns to the Center with The Reluctant Dragon, the story of a bookish boy, soft-spoken dragon and famous knight banding together to tell a tale of tolerance. Pinocchio!, by local puppeteer Lee Bryan, is a one-man "tour de farce" using found-object puppets to retell the classic story of the famous puppet. In Thistle Theatre's Brother Coyote and Sister Fox, the quick-witted Sister Fox stays one step ahead of Brother Coyote in this delightful Mexican folktale with English, Spanish and plenty of chickens! In a special one-day-only event, the award-winning and internationally renowned Salzburg Marionette Theatre presents The Sound of Music, which has been hailed "a mesmerizing spectacle" by the New York Times. This hundred-year-old Austrian company brings their world-class artistry to the classic Rogers and Hammerstein musical for this very limited Atlanta engagement.

The Center's New Directions Series for Adults and Teens continues to prove that puppets aren't just for kids. After a two-year hiatus, Atlanta's favorite band of specters The Ghastly Dreadfuls returns from the grave to celebrate Halloween with creepy stories, frightful songs and devilish dances from around the world. With new stories as well as old favorites, this ghostly jamboree haunts the stage this October. The Secret Garden, by Simpich Marionettes of Colorado Springs, CO, uses hand-crafted marionettes to tell the famous story of disagreeable Mary and her transformative discovery. Guaranteed to inspire, surprise, amuse and provoke, Xperimental Puppetry Theatre will once again bring together artists of all disciplines to create bold, original experiments in puppetry for adult audiences!

In addition to its diverse performance schedule, the Center for Puppetry Arts offers many other programs. The Center's Film Series showcases puppets on the big screen, featuring classic movies, hidden gems and contemporary productions. Two live events are launching as part of this landmark season: Jim Henson Trivia Night (date TBA) will allow patrons to test their knowledge of the famous puppeteer's work and life, and Valentine's Night Out at the Center offers a romance-themed guided tour of the new Museum, along with a cash bar and other puppet activities throughout the evening on February 14. As part of its award-winning educational programming, the Center offers extensive learning opportunities for patrons of all ages, including Puppet Camp for ages 9 through 12 (June 2015), an Explore Puppetry Series of professional development workshops for ages 16 and up, and Distance Learning live, interactive videoconference programs and recorded webinar content that allow school groups and puppet lovers across the globe to experience the fun of the Center at any location.

Set to open in fall 2015, the new Worlds of Puppetry exhibit at Center for Puppetry Arts will house a comprehensive Global Collection as well the world's largest collection of Jim Henson puppets and other artifacts. These new galleries will be immersive and interactive, allowing guests of all ages to explore puppetry in new ways, challenging preconceptions and giving a new appreciation of the global scope and universal power of the art form. As part of this project, the Center is also protecting and preserving hundreds of international and Henson treasures for future generations to enjoy and understand.

The 2015-2016 Family Series:

My Life as a Fairy Tale: The Ugly Duckling May 26 - June 7, 2015

By Open Eye Figure Theatre of Minneapolis, MN

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type June 9 - July 26, 2015

Based on the book by Doreen Cronin with illustrations by Betsy Lewin

Adapted by Jon Ludwig and Jason Von Hinezmeyer

The Reluctant Dragon July 28 - August 9, 2015

By Tears of Joy Theatre of Portland, OR

The Tortoise, the Hare, & Other Aesop's Fables August 11 - September 20, 2015

Adapted by Michael Haverty

Peter Pan September 22 - October 25, 2015

Based on the book by J.M. Barrie

Adapted by Michael Haverty

The 3 Little Pigs & More October 27 - November 8, 2015

By Grey Seal Puppets of Charlotte, NC

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer November 10 - December 27, 2015

Based on the classic television special

Adapted by Jon Ludwig

Pinocchio! December 29, 2015 - January 10, 2016

By Lee Bryan, That Puppet Guy

Brother Coyote and Sister Fox January 13 - 24, 2016

By Thistle Theatre of Seattle, WA

Space! January 26 - March 10, 2016

Written by Jon Ludwig

The Sound of Music March 12, 2016-One Day Only!

By Salzburg Marionette Theatre of Salzburg, Austria The Sound of Music tickets go on sale fall 2015

Galapagos George, The Little Tortoise That Could March 11 - April 3, 2016

By Barefoot Puppets of Richmond, VA

Beauty and the Beast April 5 - May 22, 2016

Adapted by Jon Ludwig

The 2014-2015 Performances for Adults & Teens:

The Ghastly Dreadfuls: Raising Spirits (Ages 18+) October 14 - 31, 2015

By Jon Ludwig and Jason von Hinezmeyer

The Secret Garden (Ages 10+) February 23 - 28, 2016

By Simpich Marionettes of Colorado Springs, CO

Xperimental Puppetry Theater (XPT) (Ages 18+ ) May 12 - 15, 2016

By Various Artists

The best way to experience the Center is by becoming a Member. Members receive big discounts on tickets to performances and enjoy benefits like free museum entry, free films and priority seating. Plus, Members will have early access to the new Worlds of Puppetry Museum, opening fall 2015, before it opens to the public. For more information, visit WWW.PUPPET.ORG or call the membership office at 404-881-5151.

Ticket prices vary for performances and other programs. See prices at WWW.PUPPET.ORG or call 404-873-3391.