The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry Presents its 2017 Fall Puppet Performance Series

The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry at the University of Connecticut will host its Fall Puppet Performance Series on four Saturdays from September to December 2017, featuring outstanding works for puppet theater by professional puppeteers from across the Northeast and beyond. Each show will be performed twice, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. All performances will take place at the Ballard Institute Theater, located at 1 Royce Circle in Storrs Center. Productions and dates include:

September 23: The Case of the Missing Kitten by WonderSpark Puppets-When a cute kitten goes missing, only one detective is clever enough, brave enough, and smart enough to solve the case-Mystery Max! Join Max on a wild adventure to find Nancy's missing kitten. Along the way, meet crazy characters, make new friends, sing songs and find clues in this classic whodunit by this New York-based company, which includes Chad Williams, UConn Puppet Arts alumna Lindsey "Z" Briggs, and Jenny Hann. Recommended for children 3+.

October 14: The Perils of Mr. Punch by Modern Times Theater-The Perils of Mr. Punch follows the troubles and travails of puppetry's favorite loudmouth, Mr. Punch, as performed by Vermont puppeteers Rose Friedman and Justin Lander. The performance includes a two-person orchestra, classic jokes and gags, and audience participation in this delightful revival of the classic puppet trickster. The show is appropriate for children of all ages.

November 4: Sleeping Beauty by Tanglewood Marionettes-In this dazzling retelling of the beloved fairy tale, King Felix's court is thrown into turmoil when the Wicked Witch bestows a curse on the newborn Princess Aurora. Come see if the curse will come true as this famed Massachusetts company performs with beautifully handcrafted marionettes brought to life by master puppeteer Peter Schaefer. Recommended for ages 4+.

December 2: Santa Got Fired and Other Silly Stories by Nappy's Puppets-Celebrated Connecticut puppeteer (and UConn Puppet Arts alumnus) Jim "Nappy" Napolitano will tell the tale of how Santa got his job as well as other fun and silly shadow puppet stories. Santa Got Fired will entertain, inspire and educate the audience on the range and scope of puppetry as an art form. Recommended for ages 3+.

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 phone at 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. For more information about these performances, visit bimp.uconn.edu or call 860-486-8580.

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