New York Family

PUPPET HAPPENINGS:
New York Adult | New York Family | National | Puppetry Festivals | Museum Exhibits | Professional Classes


* Subscribe to the Puppet Happenings Newsletter and receive a weekly email of Puppet Happenings highlights every Friday. *


The Magic City *

Manual Cinema (Chicago)

The New Victory Theater **
209 W 42nd St
New York, NY
newvictory.org/tickets-and-events/2425-live-performance-the-magic-city/

Nine-year-old Philomena loves building miniature cities with her big sister, Helen. But when Helen gets engaged, what will become of their world? And who wants a weird new stepbrother? So Philomena fashions herself a new world from books, toys and found objects that come alive when she falls asleep. Will she retreat into her imagination, or can she open up to her newly blended family? Brought to adventurous life through Manual Cinema’s (Leonardo!, 2022) signature fusion of actors, puppets, live music and miniatures, The Magic City encourages us to build bridges rather than walls.

* Recipient of a Jim Henson Foundation Production Grant (2017)
** Recipient of a Jim Henson Foundation Presenter's Grant (2023)

March 29 - April 6, 2025
Saturdays at 12:00pm and 5:00pm
Sundays at 11:00pm and 3:00pm

$24


The Gottabees : Go Home Tiny Monster *

The Gottabees

Flushing Town Hall
137-35 Northern Blvd.
Queens, NY
https://www.flushingtownhall.org/

Told entirely without words, this show features The Gottabees’ signature mix of puppetry, live music, physical theater, and joyously absurd silliness.
After a sudden storm, Sylvie and her loving family of homespun creatures find themselves in need of a new home. Luckily, they have an audience full of people who can help them out! Go Home Tiny Monster is a wildly creative theatrical ode to a community's generosity.
"The Gottabees' stories reflect children's everyday aspirations, concerns, and emotional experiences. Their wordless approach to storytelling removes language barriers and activates different aspects of their audience's imagination. The result is a poetic, nonlinear story that surprises audiences."

Make your own Tiny Monster!
Make your own Tiny Monster with The Gottabees! Using a wild array of yarn, we’ll create tiny monster puppets and then bring them to life in tiny homes throughout our space. All materials provided — just bring your imagination! This is a creative making experience for families.
Recommended for ages 3-8 plus their adults.

* Recipient of a Jim Henson Foundation Family Grant (2018)

March 15, 2025
2:15

$8 Children


Alice in Wonderland

Puppetworks

Photo by: Marionettes by Nicolas Coppola, Photo by TA Smith

Puppetworks
338 6th Avenue (at 4th Street), Park Slope
Brooklyn, NY
puppetworks.org

Adapted by Adam Kilgour and Puppetworks’ Artistic Director Nicolas Coppola, the production features an original song score, and scenery based on the book’s familiar Tenniel illustrations. Highlights include Alice following the White Rabbit through the looking glass, the caterpillar, the disappearing Cheshire cat, the mad tea-party and the Queen of Hearts’ Un-birthday Ball.

February 1 - April 19, 2025
Saturdays & Sundays & Daily all of Presidents' Week
@ 12:30 & 2:30

Child $11, Adult $12


Cinderella Samba

Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre

Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre
W 79th St
New York, NY
https://tinyurl.com/vhfhm779

Cinderella Samba takes place in the lush landscape of Brazil, where, with the help of her fairy godmother, Cinderella attends Rio de Janeiro's biggest Carnaval gala and dances with Prince Paulo. The lively production features an original musical soundtrack by Daryl Kojak, commissioned by the Cottage, that brings samba center-stage. The show features a festive Carnaval float, stunning sets, and one-of-a-kind marionettes donning vibrant celebratory costumes.

February 4 - May 31, 2025
Tuesday - Friday: 10:30am and 11:30am
Saturdays and Sundays: 11am and 1pm

$15


The Pocket Park Kids

Anika Larsen, Andrea Varga & Barbara Zinn Krieger

Theatre Row, Theater 5
410 W 42nd St
New York, NY
nycchildrenstheater.org/show/the-pocket-park-kids/

Between two city buildings lies a small, neglected park with a single tree, a broken fountain and a woeful amount of litter. Five kids from the neighborhood each have fiercely differing ideas about the future of the park. Just as the kids learn that a powerful developer is going to turn it into a parking garage, an unexpectedly wise parakeet makes a nest in the tree. When the bird starts talking, will the kids listen? Can they figure out how to come together to save their pocket park?

Puppets by Evolve Puppets

February 22 - March 16, 2025
Saturdays & Sundays at 11am and 2:30pm

$34


Big Feelings

Little Clouds LLC

Photo by: Lana Boy

Culture Lab LIC
849 Kent Ave 2FL
Brooklyn, NY
eventbrite.com/e/big-feelings-tickets-1226552143479?aff=oddtdtcreator

Created in partnership with children's therapist Christie Stiff, the Big Feelings experience aims to create an intergenerational bridge and empower children with the long-term tools they need to spark necessary dialogues about well-being, mental health, and feelings. Alma is a little girl who had to leave the island where she was raised, listening to ancient myths and the sound of the ocean. Now living in the big city where she can’t see the stars, Alma struggles to cope and feels overwhelmed by “her bad feelings.” Produced by Little Clouds, Big Feelings was a recipient of the NYFA Queens Arts Fund for “New Work” and had a sold out run at the Culture Lab in 2024. The show was featured on the NY DAILY NEWS as one of the best 7 things to do in New York.

March 8 - 22, 2025
Saturday, March 8 · 4 - 5pm EST
Sunday, March 9 · 4 - 5pm EDT
Saturday, March 15 · 4 - 5pm EDT
Sunday, March 16 · 4 - 5pm EDT
Saturday, March 22 · 4 - 5pm EDT
Sunday, March 23 · 4 - 5pm EDT

$17.85


Toby's Magic Forest

Penny Jones &. Co. Puppets

Westbeth Home to the Arts
155 Bank St
New York, NY
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tobys-magic-forest-2025-tickets-875577494857?aff=oddtdtcreator&mc_cid=97ace0980f&mc_eid=efe45feeb5

Fun and funny things happen in the magic forest. The children raise flowers and even help to make Spring. A fan favorite because the children get to do so much. This is interactive puppet theater in an intimate space for young children. With lots of participation, fun and games, and magic. The Early Childhood Puppet Theatre’s first show- now even better. A hit for generations. With Jack, the Pied Piper and Mother Goose's silly little dog Toby. - And make a puppet to take home after the show!

March 16 - April 13, 2025
March 16, 23 & April 6, 13 at 1PM

$15


Corazón Feliz

Presented by Teatro SEA - Featuring Rochy Ameneiro and Teatro de Las Estaciones

Teatro SEA
107 Suffolk Street
New York, NY
www.teatrosea.org

This unique theatrical concert brings the vibrant sounds of Cuba to New York! Featuring Rochy Ameneiro in collaboration with Teatro de Las Estaciones, Corazón Feliz combines music and performance in an immersive experience designed to engage and inspire audiences of all ages. Please Be Aware: Intimate internal events with limited space. RSVP is mandatory.

March 20, 2025
7:00PM

$20 for Children, $25 for Adults


Movin' Right Along: A Concert for World Puppetry Day

Green Room 42

Green Room 42
570 10th Ave
New York, NY
https://thegreenroom42.venuetix.com/show/details/yf76QXRqARgtVm1I5yeo

Your favorite sensational, Muppetational performers & puppeteers are back to play the music & light the lights once again! Come join Musical Theatre Composer & Performer Tyler Tafolla and the gang as they celebrate the music, laughs and work of the people who inspired us, for World Puppetry Day.
In this one night only concert, you'll hear those classic songs you know & love from The Muppets, Sesame Street, Labyrinth and many more! It will be a night of music, laughter, hysteria and of course, puppets! An evening you won't forget!
Featuring performances from Jordan Brownlee ("The Muppets Mayhem"), Emma Iannuzzi, and Jon Steiger("Harry Potter and the Cursed Child").
Not local to NYC? We also have a livestream ticket option!

March 21, 2025
9:30 PM

21


La niña que riega la albahaca

adapted and performed by Rubén Darío Salazar, with set design by Zenén Calero

Teatro SEA
107 Suffolk Street
New York, NY
www.teatrosea.org

Lorca’s beloved folktale, adapted and performed by Rubén Darío Salazar, with set design by Zenén Calero, both recipients of Cuba’s National Theater Award. This performance is in Spanish. Please Be Aware: Intimate internal events with limited space. RSVP is mandatory.

March 21 - 22, 2025
Friday: 7:00PM
Saturday: 3:00PM

$20 For Children, $25 For Adults


César Chávez and the Migrants

Teatro SEA

Teatro SEA
107 Suffolk Street
New York, NY
www.teatrosea.org

This inspiring production follows the story of César Chávez, a leader who fought for the rights of migrant workers. Through engaging storytelling, music, and visuals, young audiences will learn about activism, justice, and the power of community. This show is performed in both English and Spanish Simultaneously. Please Be Aware: Intimate internal events with limited space. RSVP is mandatory.

March 29 - May 3, 2025
3:00PM

$20.00


The Journey of Pura Belpré's Tales

Teatro SEA

Teatro SEA
107 Suffolk Street
New York, NY
www.teatrosea.org

Step into the world of Pura Belpré, the first Puerto Rican librarian in NYC, as her beloved folktales come to life through puppetry, music, and storytelling. Featuring Pérez & Martina, Juan Bobo, and The Three Magi, this interactive show celebrates the power of stories and cultural heritage. This show is performed in both English and Spanish Simultaneously. Please Be Aware: Intimate internal events with limited space. RSVP is mandatory.

May 10 - June 7, 2025
3:00PM

$20


Rancho Tales

Teatro SEA

Teatro SEA
107 Suffolk Street
New York, NY
www.teatrosea.org

A charming blend of music, puppetry, movement, and visuals, Rancho Tales retells classic barnyard stories in an engaging bilingual format. Join Pepa and Pepe as they guide audiences through The Ugly Duckling, Three Billy Goats Gruff, and The Red Hen, accompanied by popular Latin American barn songs. This show is performed in both English and Spanish Simultaneously. Please Be Aware: Intimate internal events with limited space. RSVP is mandatory.

June 14 - 21, 2025
11:00AM

$20


The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show

Rockefeller Productions

The Duke On 42nd Street
229 West 42nd St
New York, NY
feverup.com/m/188141

Dive into Eric Carle’s vibrant world with The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show in New York! In this critically acclaimed 4-part show, 75 magical puppets bring 4 beloved children’s classics to life for audiences young and old. Meet the colorful characters from The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse, swim with Mister Seahorse, help The Very Lonely Firefly find his friends, and, of course, let The Very Hungry Caterpillar nibble its way into your heart. Laugh, cheer, and clap along to this magical show that, just like its star, will leave you hungry for more! Get your tickets now for The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show in New York!

Ongoing, tickets on sale through January 5, 2025
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays: 9.00 a.m. - 3.30 p.m.

starting at $39