Puppet Shows
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Storybook Puppet Theater is designed for child audiences.
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The puppet cast of “Aesop's Fables.”
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Puppeteers Lewis Mahlmann and Randal Metz in action.
At Fairyland’s Open Storybook Puppet Theater, we strive to bring our guests wonderful tales that bring books to life!
All shows that grace the stage of Fairyland’s Open Storybook Puppet Theater are original productions featuring scripts, costumes, music, and sets designed by our talented puppeteers. Don’t miss a chance to watch a production at the oldest continuously operating puppet theater in the U.S.
Showtimes
11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.
Catch a show every day the park is open
Showtimes are subject to change. Please check our calendar of events for the most up-to-date schedule.
2024 Puppet Shows
This year, our Stories Committee helped Fairyland cultivate an amazing year of puppet shows based on the theme of "friendship." Visit us in December to see the season's final show for a tale of love and friendship! Learn more about our Stories Committee and the work they do here.
The Snow Queen - November 1 through the end of the year
Hans Christian Anderson’s classic tale is told this holiday season. This heartwarming tale of love, friendship, and adventure features the Snow Queen, the North Wind, and of course a flying reindeer. Script adapted by Lewis Mahlmann. Puppets by John Gilkerson and Lewis Mahlmann.
2025 Puppet Shows
Our Stories Committee helped Fairyland cultivate an incredible lineup of puppet shows for 2025, inspired by the theme of “Diamonds in the Rough,” celebrating Fairyland's 75th Anniversary—our diamond year. Just like diamonds are formed under immense pressure, these stories explore how challenges and perseverance can unlock hidden strengths and help people discover their inner brilliance. Learn more about our Stories Committee and the work they do here.
January 10 - February 2: The 3 Dinosaurs Gruff
Granny Brachiosaurus is telling her friend Greta, a Pterodactyl, the tale of three dinosaur brothers: a Stegosaurus, a Triceratops, and a Ceratosaurus who all love to cross a tree bridge each day to nap, eat, and play on the other side. But what will happen when Ugh, a trollish caveman, moves in under the bridge? This show teaches children the importance of working together, problem solving, and getting along. This pre-hysterical comedy pokes fun at the famous "3 Billy Goats Gruff" tale through the use of imagery, music, and songs. A story millions of years in the making! Puppets and script by Randal Metz. Scenery by Warren Moten III.
February 7 - April 6: Beauty and the Beast
Based on the original Charles Perrault classic French fairy tale. This is the story of a prince turned into a wild beast, who learns love and humility through the gentle teachings of a kind girl. Adaptation, puppets, and scenery by Lewis Mahlmann. Puppets designed by Golden Book illustrator Sheilah Beckett and Lewis Mahlmann. Costumes by Francis Oznowicz.
April 9 - May 29: Tấm and Cám
This popular Vietnamese Cinderella tale comes to the Fairyland stage. Tấm, and her half sister Cam live in a quaint village. Tấm’s stepmother hopes her own daughter will marry the King so they can live in luxury.When the King falls in love with Tấm instead, the stepmother’s plans are foiled. She poisons Tấm, and the girl is turned into a lovely songbird. Through good deeds and magic, Tấm is returned to her own form and reunites with the King for a happy ending. Puppets and script by Randal Metz. Scenery by Warren Moten III. With special thanks to Trần Văn Hương and Vina Vo for their invaluable feedback.
May 31 - July 10: Pinnochio
Carlo Collodi’s beloved puppet character comes to life in the classic telling of Pinocchio, created by Geppetto the woodcarver, who longs to be a real boy. Together with Creeko the cricket and the Blue Fairy, Pinocchio has many adventures, even ending up being swallowed by a whale! Join us as Pinocchio learns many of life’s lessons the hard way. Marionettes and script by Lewis Mahlmann. Scenery done in the style of Commedia Del’Arte by Lewis Mahlmann. Costumes by Francis Oznowicz.
July 11 - August 24: What Makes a King
Based on the tales and myths of the Maya Nation, this unique puppet tale asks the question: “What Makes a King?” Quetzalcoatl, the Plumed Serpent, tells the story of Cadmael, a dwarf child, who has to perform three deeds in order to save the Maya people from a greedy king. This story asks the question: what are the best qualities needed in a leader? Can Cadmael complete his tasks with the help of the animal kingdom? Join us on his journey. Puppets and script by Randal Metz. Scenery by Warren Moten III.
August 30 - October 26: Tío Conejo’s Big Wish
Tío Conejo is tired of being so small. He wants to be big like a goat and strong like a lion! He asks Mamá Diosa to grant his wish, but she thinks he's perfect just the way he is. She agrees to think about it if he goes on the quest to get the scale of a snake, the feather of an eagle, and the claw of a lion. Join Tío Conejo on his adventure in Fairyland's first fully bilingual puppet show based on a folktale from Cuba. Script and puppets by Maria Rodriguez. Scenery by Shannon Taylor.
October 29 - 2026: King Midas and the Golden Touch
Do you think you’d be happy if everything you touched turned to gold? King Midas thought so— until things started going wrong, and he risked losing his precious daughter. Join us as the King learns an important lesson in a most unusual way. Sometimes what you wish for is not at all what you want. Puppets designed by Pamelia McIntire. Scenery and script by Lewis Mahlmann. Costumes by Francis Oznowicz.
Puppet shows are included in the cost of your park ticket!
History of the puppet theater
Since we first parted the curtains in 1956, some of the country’s most gifted puppeteers have worked at our theater. The list includes Luman Coad, Frank and Dorothy Hayward, Tony Urbano, and husband-and-wife team Mike and Frances Oznowicz.
The theater’s fourth director, Lewis Mahlmann, held the position from 1967 to 2005. The current theater director, Randal J. Metz, has worked at the park since he was a grade-school apprentice to Lewis Mahlmann. Randal and Lewis shared the director’s job beginning in 1991, and Randal became sole director when Lewis retired in 2005.
Types of Puppets
The puppeteers of Storybook Puppet Theater use different kinds of puppets to tell their stories. Check the calendar to see what’s on stage during your visit.
Bunraku—In this Japanese form, puppeteers share the stage with their puppets, manipulating them using handles. Complicated puppets require up to three puppeteers.
Hand Puppets—Many classic puppet shows, including Punch and Judy, use hand puppets. The puppeteer manipulates the puppet’s movements with his or her hand.
Marionettes—This very old style of puppetry originated in medieval France and involves puppets moved by strings. Our Hansel and Gretel production features marionettes.
Shadow Puppets—This form originated in Indonesia in ancient times and is sometimes known by the Balinese name “wayang.” Figures are attached to sticks, with the heads left free to swivel.
Some thoughts on Fairytales, Folk Tales… and Puppet Shows
Shadow and Glare
Most of our puppet shows are based on classic fairy tales and folk tales. Some of these stories have been around for more than a thousand years, like Cinderella, which dates back to 9th century China. We have over 150 puppet shows in rotation at Fairyland, and it takes more than a year to create a new one. Thus, many of our shows have been around for quite a long time. American society changes. What we think is suitable for our children changes. But as fantasy expert Jane Yolen has written in her book Touch Magic, one thing about compelling fairy tales stays the same: “The idea that peace and happiness can only exist on some condition” (Yolen 26). If everyone in a story is full of joy from beginning to end, it will not make for a very good puppet show. There is no journey or growth. “A fine story – whether for children or adults – should reflect both dark and light, both shadow and glare” (Yolen 33). It is worth noting that our puppet shows are not just for children and adults; they are for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers… the whole gamut.
Challenging Ideas
Of course, it is possible for us to change stories to make them more amenable to our modern values. But some degree of tension is necessary. Sometimes this takes the form of suspense, mystery, or a scary or mean character. The protagonist has to use his or her skills to overcome this challenge. The child viewer uses higher order thinking skills to reflect on what they would do in the given situation, watches it unfold, and then judges the outcome. Much like when your child watches a movie or reads a book that introduces new or challenging ideas, one way to help the child process those ideas is to discuss them. They may want to share their feelings about someone being mean or not being a good friend. They may want to say that they don’t like a character because of the way he or she acted. On the other hand, they may say a character was kind or brave, or knew how to share. In the real world we will encounter both people who show us kindness and people who do not, and talking about fictional characters and how they affect each other and us, the viewers, will prepare us for those encounters.
Mediated Learning Experiences
In the psychology world, Dr. Reuven Feuerstein calls this sort of discussion between adult and child a Mediated Learning Experience. One common example of a Mediated Learning Experience happens when you are reading your child a book and stop to examine the illustrations together. Look at that character’s face, you may say. How do you think she is feeling? Oh, you think she is angry? Why is she angry? This sort of mediation slows the child down and helps them process what they see and hear. It prepares them for real-life interactions and makes them better observers and deeper thinkers. Feuerstein believes that intelligence is not fixed, and that mediating learning can increase a child’s brain-power. One of the great things about mediating learning is that parents and teachers are driven to do it not only because it improves critical thinking, but because it is fun! Riding the bus with a child is simply more fun when the two of you are looking around, asking each other questions, noticing the buildings outside of the window, and waiting for the exact right second to ding for your stop.
We Trust Parents
Mediated Learning Experiences can be very powerful, but ultimately, you decide what is right for your child. If you are concerned about a certain puppet show, it is always okay to leave. Furthermore, I welcome dialogue about your concerns, questions, or anything you read about in this article. Please contact Vicky Chen, Director of Community Outreach and Education. Thank you for reading, and enjoy Fairyland!
