This week, I took my two daughters to Center for Puppetry Arts to see their latest family show, Cinderella Della Circus, now playing in the Mainstage Theater. This retelling of the classic tale of Cinderella brings puppetry and the circus together with fairytale magic. My girls fell in in love with the awkward Cinderella, who has enormous feet (and later enormous sparkly shoes) as soon as she made her grand entrance, swinging in on a giant moon. Cinderella is a tightrope walker in P.T. Barnum’s circus, which soon gets taken over by the mean Madame Bullie, who forces Cinderella to cook and clean instead of performing at the Handsome Prince’s Ball.
My daughters also loved all the other whimsical characters including Strecho, the bear on unicycle, Corny the unicorn zebra, and the monkey mermaid, all of which were marionettes, rod, and shadow puppets. Their favorite was the fish in trapeze, who did cool flips like Cinderella.
This sensory-filled show, narrated by the blue elephant, included big light up fireflies and lots of bubbles. What toddler doesn’t love bubbles, right? My daughters sang "Bubbles No Troubles" all the way home in the car.
Be sure to stay in your seats when the show ends so you can hear an informative explanation of how the puppeteers make the puppets move. Plus don’t forget to visit the Create-A-Puppet Workshop™ before or after thw show to build your own Stretcho Rod Puppet, and even get a chance to play with it behind real puppet stage curtains.
The Center for Puppetry Arts has a jam-packed summer calendar including these special Cinderella Della Circus events:
SATURDAY, JUNE 24: The Center for Puppetry Arts will somersault into fun with a carnival to celebrate the show’s opening weekend. Bean & Bear are excited to entertain you inside where it's nice and dry! Spend some time enjoying their walk-around puppetry and magic tricks.
SATURDAY, JULY 8: Cinderella is a pro at walking the tightrope, so patrons will have a chance to learn some of her tricks! On July 8, the Center will host Circus Arts Day. Members of Atlanta’s Circus Arts Institute will be on-site giving lessons in tightrope walking simulations and scarf juggling. They will be joined by a stilt walker, who will roam the atrium on sky-high stilts.
SUNDAY, JULY 9: A sensory-friendly version of Cinderella Della Circus will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 9 to continue the Center’s ASD initiative. During this performance, the following alterations will be employed: theater lights dimmed down but not out, consistent sound levels and lower volume of show soundtrack, freedom for children to talk and to leave their seat if necessary, a quiet zone in the lobby and permission to bring quiet, contained snacks and beverages. These adjustments will continue into the museum and Create-A-Puppet Workshop.
SATURDAY, JULY 15: Cinderella Della Circus uses marionette puppets, including some that do special tricks. Guests interested in learning how to use a marionette will get the chance on July 15! The Center’s staff of puppeteers will be leading demos and teaching an introductory lesson on marionette puppetry using hand-made scarf marionettes.
SATURDAY, JULY 22: The Center will celebrate the show’s final weekend on Saturday, July 22 with a truly sparkling activity – bedazzling! In the spirit of Cinderella’s famous slippers, patrons are invited to bedazzle their own shoes. The Center has partnered with Atlanta-area Shoe Carnival stores to offer a 30 percent off discount on a new pair of shoes. Families are encouraged to purchase those before the show and bring them to decorate after the performance. The Center will provide all the bedazzling supplies.
All of the above events will take place between 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on the days listed and are included at no additional charge with an all-inclusive admission. Cinderella Della Circus will be performed in the Mainstage Theater through July 23, 2017. No shows on Mondays or on July 4, 2017.
SHOWTIMES:
Tuesday – Friday: 10 a.m. and noon
Saturday: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
* No shows on Mondays or on July 4, 2017.
TICKETS:
Tickets are $9.75 (Members) and $19.50 (nonmembers) – plus sales tax. Tickets include admission to the performance, the Worlds of Puppetry Museum (with the largest collection of Jim Henson puppets and artifacts in the world as well as a Global Gallery) and entrance to the Create-A-Puppet Workshop™, where guests can make and decorate their own special Stretcho Rod Puppetand perform with it on our classroom stage.
Tickets are available online at www.puppet.org or by calling 404.873.3391.
DISCOUNT OFFER - $11.50 tickets to select performances are available though GOLDSTAR. CLICK HERE to get to the page for this and other great offers.
SVM MACARONI KID GIVEAWAY!
CLICK HERE TO ENTER to win 4 tickets to see "Cinderella Della Circus" at Center for Puppetry Arts. Winner may choose any performance on July 8 or 9, 2017.
Giveaway closes Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at 9am.
Plus, Bonus Entries:
- 2 Bonus Entries: Comment on our Facebook post HERE with your favorite circus act!
* The author received complimentary tickets to this performance in exchange for this honest review.
