Great AZ Puppet Theater Announces Upcoming Shows

The Great Arizona Puppet Theatre is open year round, performing shows at the theater Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets are available at the theater for $7 for children and $10 for adults. Reservations can be made by calling 602-262-2050 at any time. The theater doors open a half an hour before show time.

April 4-8

GUEST ARTIST MESNER PUPPET THEATER PRESENTS "THE CAT CAME BACK": Based on the folk song, this hilarious show tells the story of Mr. Johnson and a mysterious cat who keeps returning to his doorstep. For more information, visit the artist's website at http://mesnerpuppets.org

Friday, April 6 & Saturday, April 7

"A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE DEATH STAR": What if George Lucas had decided to turn his epic space saga into a musical puppet show? Find out in this wacky parody of "Star Wars" written by Curt Bright and adapted for puppets by Mesner Puppet Theater's Artistic Director Mike Horner. AGES 12+. $10 if PAID at least 24 hours in advance, $12 day-of-show. 8pm both nights (doors at 7:30).

April 11-29

"THE PRINCESS, THE UNICORN AND THE SMELLY-FOOT TROLL": A funny original musical about a princess, a unicorn and a friendly troll with hygiene issues. Fun for the whole family, with plenty of singing, sparkles and smelly-foot hilarity. ***SUNDAY, APRIL 22 will be for GAPT MEMBERS ONLY***

SHOWTIMES (unless otherwise noted): Wednesdays through Fridays at 10am, Saturdays at 10am & 2pm, Sundays at 2pm

PRICES (unless otherwise noted): $10 for adults (ages 13+), $7 for children (ages 0-12 yrs)
The Great AZ Puppet Theater is located at 302 W. Latham St. in Phoenix. Please call 602-262-2050 for reservations, directions and additional information; also, visit the theater online at www.azpuppets.org

The home of the Great Arizona Puppet Theater is an important Phoenix landmark. Built in 1929, the beautiful Phoenix LDS 2nd Ward Church was purchased by the Highway Department in 1972 for construction of I-10 and targeted for demolition. Public outcry saved the building and it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building is an outstanding example of Spanish Colonial style architecture and was designed by the famed architectural team of Burton and Pope. Features include a domed ceiling arising from Moorish columns, stenciled and hand-painted decorative motifs on ceilings and beams throughout trhe building, and a lovely courtyard overlooking the Margaret Hance Deck Park and downtown Phoenix.

The theater bought the building in 1996 when it was in general disrepair and started the long process of renovation. Three years later the former chapel was opened as the performing space. Another three years of work enabled the puppeteers to open the former social hall as the auditorium. The chapel now serves as gift shop, lobby and exhibit area. Also on site are workshop areas for puppet construction, puppet storage, office for the puppet theater, birthday party room, a puppet library and a guest room for visiting guest artists.

Great Arizona Puppet Theater is a non-profit professional puppet theater founded in 1983 as a touring company. The theater is open to the public 5 days a week year-round with shows for children and adults and also tours throughout the community serving a total audience of 85,000 annually, mostly children. GAPT has received the Mayor's Environmental Award for Education, numerous Best of Phoenix awards and the UNIMA-USA Citation for Excellence in Puppetry.

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