Activities for Kids

Give Them a Hand: NYC’s Best Puppet Shows

It's not your imagination: these things are everywhere lately. Here's where to catch the best ones in town!

By Rachel Sokol September 25, 2017

If you haven’t noticed, puppets are kind of a big deal right now. From a permanent exhibit celebrating one of the masters of the form, to tons of new productions, and perennial favorites, NYC is a real puppet town this season. No matter your child’s age or puppet preferences — colorful and fuzzy, classic marionettes, funky and fun — there’s a place to catch a high quality show. Click through to see some of NYC’s top spots for puppets!

For the Pride of Park Slope: Puppetworks

Ask any Park Slope mom where she watches a puppet show and she’ll surely say, "Puppetworks." The non-profit, award-winning neighborhood institution run by Nicolas Coppola has been entertaining kids with the wonder of puppetry since the 80’s. During the week, the theater puts on shows for schools and private groups, but you can see a public performance every Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 pm. The theater is currently running
Pinocchio, Carlo Collodi's 1883 Adventures of a Marionette adapted by Coppola. The show features traditional hand-carved wooden marionettes, an original song score, the Blue Fairy and a "live" actor as Stromboli the Puppet Master. Six colorful scenes range from the excitement of Boobyland with its Donkey Machine to the eerie glow of undersea where the Whale lives.(It's suggested for ages three and up.)

In Jersey City every Sunday, you can catch Puppetworks'The Prince & The Magic Flute, based on the classic Mozart Opera. The production features simple songs taken from the Mozart score, and is the tale of a brave prince and a funny bird catcher, who attempt to rescue a princess from the Palace of the Sun with the help of magic bells and a magic flute.

For public shows, reservations are suggested and can be made on the day of or in advance.

Pinnochio: Sep. 2 - Dec. 17
Tickets: $11/adults; $10/kids
Online: puppetworks.org

The Prince & The Magic Flute: Oct. 1 - Nov. 5
Tickets: $10/adults; $9/kids
Online: jctcenter.or g

Puppetworks
338 Sixth Ave.
Park Slope
718-965-3391
Online: puppetworks.org

photo: Puppetworks