The Ballard Institute And Museum Of Puppetry Presents RUMPLESTILTSKIN By Stevens Puppets

As part of its 2018 Spring Puppet Performance Series, the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry at the University of Connecticut will present Rumplestiltskin by Stevens Puppets on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Ballard Institute Theater, located at 1 Royce Circle in Downtown Storrs.

Rumplestiltskin is a fast-paced, action-filled, rhyming rendition of the classic tale, following the Miller as he weaves a web of lies to convince the King that his daughter can spin straw into gold! Enter the outrageously outspoken and never happy villain, Rumplestiltskin, whose preposterous demands create even more mayhem in the land of Stiltskin. Top it off with a famous, ground-breaking marionette that "flies to pieces" right before your eyes. Couple that with the Stevens Puppets touch of humor and authenticity and you get one of the most highly-rated, happily-pleasing programs ever! Rumplestiltskin debuted in 1964 at the New York World's Fair. Since then the show has been a staple in the Stevens Puppets lineup. In the spring of 2013, Rumplestiltskin went through an extensive renovation. All the marionettes were repainted, the costumes repaired or replaced, all new scenery created, and a fantastic new digital soundtrack featuring J.S. Bach was recorded. The artwork was painstakingly recreated by Zan Raynor and Gnoli Raynor. This show is 45 minutes long and is recommended for all ages.

Stevens Puppets was founded in 1933 by the Peabody-Award-winning Martin Stevens, a pre-eminent American puppeteer and a founder of the Puppeteers of America. With his wife, Margi, Stevens created ground-breaking touring marionette shows in the 1960s and 70s. Dan and Zan Raynor have been with Stevens Puppets for over 20 years, each coming from live-theater backgrounds of acting and directing. Dan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater and Zan holds a Master of Theology with a doctorate in Canon Law. Dan has taught theater at the Northwest Arkansas Academy of Fine Arts and directed professionally for theaters in several states. He has performed with and directed many professional musicians like Neil Young and Huey Lewis, and acted professionally with many theater companies in California. In addition to performing on stage as an actor and dancer, Zan has directed high school and college theater programs, and designed lights, costumes, and choreography for numerous theater companies in the Midwest and Northeast. Zan has taught every level of school, from Montessori preschool through university classes. The Raynors divide their time between studio artwork, both original and restoration, training other performing artists, managing complex tours, and performing all around the country at schools, libraries, festivals, and fairs.

Ticket Prices: Adults: $12; Members/Seniors: $10; Students: $8; Kids: $6 (12 years and under)

Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry, by calling 860-486-8580, or online at bimp.ticketleap.com. A surcharge will be added to any purchases made online. Tickets may also be purchased at the Ballard Institute on the day of performance starting at 10 a.m. There will be open seating and no reservations. Visitors can park in the Storrs Center Garage located at 33 Royce Circle. Parking in the Storrs Center Garage is free for the first two hours and $1 per hour thereafter, with a daily maximum charge of $8. For more information about these performances, visit bimp.uconn.edu or call 860-486-8580.

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