100 Best Puppetry Books of All Time

Max, a wild and naughty boy, is sent to bed without his supper by his exhausted mother. In his room, he imagines sailing far away to a land of Wild Things. Instead of eating him, the Wild Things make Max their king.

For the first time ever-a comprehensive biography of one of the twentieth-century's most innovative creative artists: the incomparable, irreplaceable Jim Henson.

He was a gentle dreamer whose genial bearded visage was recognized around the world, but most people got to know him only through the iconic characters born of his fertile imagination: Kermit the Frog, Bert and Ernie, Miss Piggy, Big Bird.

In 1862 Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, a shy Oxford mathematician with a stammer, created a story about a little girl tumbling down a rabbit hole. Thus began the immortal adventures of Alice, perhaps the most popular heroine in English literature.

Countless scholars have tried to define the charm of the Alice books--with those wonderfully eccentric characters the Queen of Hearts, Tweedledum, and Tweedle

The ultimate gift for Muppet lovers everywhere, this extraordinary tribute celebrates 40 years of Henson's creative genius--from his best-known inventions to his lesser known but equally fascinating notions for everything from designs for futuristic nightclubs and homes to experimental films. 500 color illus.

The art of "bellyspeaking" isn't for dummies.

The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Ventriloquism teaches everyone to speak from their bellies, create and substitute sounds, use all the registers of their voice, and create diversions to attract the listener's ear - whether they invest in a fancy puppet or create their own figure out of a sweat sock.

?Includes tips for making, manipulating, and talking with

Do you love puppets? Have you ever wanted to try your hand at not only creating but performing? This groundbreaking puppetry how-to book teaches the basics of puppet construction from stuffets, to hand and advanced puppets. Learn how to not only make stages, but the art of puppet performance.

Unleash your inner creative genius, whether it’s by giving voice to your simple upcycled stuffet, bringing

Everyone’s a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when young and old rise early to see what giant new balloons will fill the skies for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Who first invented these "upside-down puppets"? Meet Tony Sarg, puppeteer extraordinaire! In brilliant collage illustrations, Caldecott Honor artist Melissa Sweet tells the story of the puppeteer Tony Sarg, capturing his genius, his dedic

In this informative volume, a master puppeteer shares his expertise in the variety of behind-the-scenes skills involved in bringing puppets to life. Drawing on years of experience, George Latshaw conducts readers through every stage of the puppeteer's art, from simple, preparatory hand exercises to advice on performing before an audience.
Following a brief retrospective of the fascinating ancient a

Foam Patterning and Construction Techniques: Turning 2D Designs into 3D Shapes explains how to create your theatrical prop, puppet, or costume design using the unique and tricky medium of foam. Step-by-step instructions, photographs, and explanations illustrate how to translate your design from paper to reality by creating custom "skin" patterns, followed by creation of a foam mockup. The book det

Grace loves stories, whether they're from books, movies, or the kind her grandmother tells. When her school decides to perform Peter Pan, Grace longs to play the lead, but her classmates point out that Peter was a boy. Besides, he wasn't black.

With the support of her family, Grace learns that she can be anything she wants to be, and the results are amazing!

Remarkable watercolor illustrations give

The artistry of puppetry includes aspects of the visual arts, theatre, music, and dance. Puppets can be traced as far back as ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, and are found today in cultures worldwide, across the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia. This work shows how puppets have been used to relay myths, poke fun at political figures, comment on cultural events of the period, express moral stori

First came the news that a flying saucer had landed in Iowa. Then came the announcement that the whole thing was a hoax. End of story. Case closed.

Except that two agents of the most secret intelligence agency in the U.S. government were on the scene and disappeared without reporting back. Then four more follow up agents also disappeared. So the head of the agency and his two top agents went in and

Dark Crystal: The Ultimate Visual History is the definitive collection of rare artwork, interviews, and on-set photos from the beloved Jim Henson fantasy classic.

A true masterpiece brought to life by the ingenious puppetry and peerless storytelling of Jim Henson, Dark Crystal is revered by an entire generation of fans. For the first time, this deluxe and highly comprehensive book tells the complet

Everyone has a sock or two without a mate, lost to the abyss of the dryer, but what to do with this lonely laundry left-over? Worry not! The Ultimate Sock Puppet Book will help you craft whimsical, quirky creatures that you can create with just some inexpensive materials and your imagination. Moving from the simple to the extraordinary, authors Tiger Kandel and Heather Schloss will take readers on

Puppets have existed in one form or another in nearly every culture throughout human history. From the intriguing shadow puppets of Java to the romantically challenged Miss Piggy, from African carved-wood actors with outsize genitalia to merry maniac Mr. Punch, puppets are incredibly diverse, reflecting the varied cultures, environments, and personalities of their creators.
In this lavishly illust

This "head-to-toe" guide answers all your questions, from hair care to healthy eating, bad breath to bras, periods to pimples, and everything in between. With tips, how-to's, letters from girls, and facts from the experts, here's straightforward advice you can really use.

Illustrating the work of some of the finest shadow players in the world, this book explains with clarity and precision the art of shadow puppetry, an art form increasingly used by professional companies and educational institutions. Traditional shadow play techniques are covered, together with modern methods and recent explorations, puppet design, lighting and staging, and even techniques for crea

Puppets and Puppet Theatre contains everything one needs to know to progress from a beginner's level to a high standard of artistry. Puppeteer David Currell concentrates on designing, making, and performing with the main types of puppets, offering detailed information on the nature and heritage of puppet theater; the anatomy of a puppet and its design and structure; materials and methods for sculp

One of the most imaginative and provocative directors and designers working today, Taymor draws on elements from the West, Indonesia, Japan, traditional theater, Asian dance-drama, puppetry, masked dance, contemporary cinema, and other performing arts to bring her extraordinary theatrical hybrids to life. Tracing her extensive career, this volume includes 195 illustrations, 110 in color, as well a

The story of one of the most important and beloved shows on television-how it got started, nearly failed, and was saved by Elmo.

When the first episode aired on November 10, 1969, Sesame Street revolutionized the way education was presented to children on television. It has since become the longest-running children's show in history, and today reaches 8 million preschoolers on 350 PBS stations and

Now 20 years old, Jim Henson's classic fantasy film The Dark Crystal--featuring the breathtaking concept design of renowned fantasy artist Brian Froud--is a soaring work of the imagination. This mystical adventure has such a huge cult following that when the film was recently re-released on video and DVD, it quickly sold a million copies. Just as remarkable is the cult status of The World of The D

In this stunning pop-up book, meet seven animal builders and see how their unique skills help them survive—and to live together in harmony in the neighborwood.

At the edge of the forest a spider spins her web, while nearby, a hummingbird uses strands of spider silk to build her nest. These are just two of the many animals who live side by side, sharing the resources they need to construct homes, tr

There's a whole new world of puppets out there!

In Puppet Planet, John Kennedy offers you the insight, tips and trade secrets that only a professional puppeteer can. Learn how to make 12 brand new puppets, then learn how to perform with them! Discover professional staging techniques, as well as ways to make the puppets come alive for your audience.

Look inside to:


Create the muscle laden, but amazing

Making and Manipulating Marionettes is a superb guide to a craft and performance art that has fascinated audiences for over 2,000 years. Handsomely illustrated throughout, it presents precise instructions for the making of marionettes, both for plays and for acts in the variety tradition. All aspects of marionette design, construction, and control are covered, and there are rare insights into spec

Unlike other performing arts, puppetry is perhaps the only art form in which directing, acting, writing, designing, sculpture, and choreography are combined. In effect, the performer is creating an artistic entertainment that will appeal to audiences of all ages — in homes, in theaters, and in classrooms.
This lucid, easy-to-follow book was specifically conceived to teach beginners how to bring a h

Learn how to throw your voice. Make your hand talk, your shoe sing, and your mother-in-law shut-up Everyone will be tongue-tied when you start talking to the lamp shade and it talks back Paul Stadelman, a professional ventriloquist who stared on his own TV show for many years, shares with you secrets that have made him a hilarious success. Ventriloquism, as taught in this book, is easy to learn if

Bert and Ernie were once just scribbles in a notebook, and the original Oscar the Grouch was purple, not green. Before there were Muppets, there were Jim Henson's designs and doodles. This collection of Henson's early drawings forms a trail back to his roots as a graphic artist.

À la fin du XIXe siècle, dans toute l’Europe, les avant-gardes théâtrales font de la marionnette — jusqu’alors ancrée dans des traditions en déclin — un véritable modèle esthétique, qui persiste jusqu’à la fin des années trente. Ainsi, le sujet de ce livre n’est pas « le théâtre de marionnettes », défini par une série de pratiques qui volent alors en éclats, mais « la marionnette au théâtre » : co

This volume, which originally appeared as a special issue of TDR/The Drama Review, looks at puppets, masks, and other performing objects from a broad range of perspectives.

Puppets and masks are central to some of the oldest worldwide forms of art making and performance, as well as some of the newest. In the twentieth century, French symbolists, Russian futurists and constructivists, Prague School

Flavia de Luce, a dangerously smart eleven-year-old with a passion for chemistry and a genius for solving murders, thinks that her days of crime-solving in the bucolic English hamlet of Bishop’s Lacey are over—until beloved puppeteer Rupert Porson has his own strings sizzled in an unfortunate rendezvous with electricity. But who’d do such a thing, and why? Does the madwoman who lives in Gibbet Woo

The stage adaptation of The Lion King is being hailed around the world as a once-in-a-lifetime event. This book features a developmental history of the production through beautiful artwork, photos, and behind-the-scenes details of the challenges the director and actors faced and the making of the elaborate sets, costumes, and masks.

The show that has taught over 70 million of us to count is turning 30! To help celebrate this milestone, Hyperion presents the ultimate insider's tribute to "Sesame Street"--a one-of-a-kind volume that lets readers relive all the classic memories, games shows, animation, and parodies through actual scripts, rare photos, celebrity flashbacks, and hilarious anecdotes. 400 color photos. NPR sponsorsh

One of the world's most famous magicomedians and ventriloquists discusses every aspect of his art and reveals tricks of the trade. George Schindler, the Dean of the Society of American Magicians, has kept audiences spellbound for more than forty years. In this guide for beginners and experienced ventriloquists alike, he defines the art and offers practical advice as well as inspiration.
Starting wi

Jim Henson's iconic puppet characters, fantastic worlds, and warm humor have delighted millions of people of all ages. His incredibly diverse body of work, from the Muppets to the world of The Dark Crystal, reveals his charm and genius to fans old and new. Compiled directly from The Jim Henson Company archives, Imagination Illustrated adapts the diary that Jim faithfully kept throughout his career

Making hand shadows on the wall is an age-old pastime that has provided countless hours of entertainment for children and adults alike. In this entertaining how-to book, a master of the art goes far beyond the basics to reveal his secrets for creating realistic, lifelike hand shadows.
With practice and patience, you too can soon learn how to arrange your hands and fingers to form shadow images of a

His YouTube videos have been viewed more than 400 million times by fans all over the world. He has played to sold-out venues across North America, Europe, South Africa and Australia. He has sold more than six million DVDs, Forbes has ranked him in their Celebrity 100 list of most powerful entertainers for two years running, and he has been the top touring comedian in the United States for the last

It’s the Swiss Army knife of activity books: how to make puppets anywhere, in ten minutes or less, using everyday materials. And who better to create it than Noel MacNeal, a longtime puppeteer who learned his art from Jim Henson and Frank Oz. MacNeal shows parents and kids how to make 30 puppets using socks, paper bags, napkins, and the most important tools of all—your two hands.

10-Minute Puppets

Buzz is making a movie about aliens from outer space. When the action begins, superheroes Fly Guy and Buzz Boy are protecting a secret fort in the sky when an alien ship captures them! The duo must outsmart the aliens and the space pirates with the help of Dragon Dude and Fly Girl. The fun-zee is never-ending in this early chapter book.

This book takes readers on a close-up tour of Jim Henson's creature workshop to find out how some of today's most memorable movie characters, including Babe the sheep-corralling pig and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, are brought to life. 300+ color photos & illustrations.

Hello My Name is Amineko follows the journey of Amineko the Crochet Cat and his crocheted friends as they eat, sleep, and have lots of fun and adventures. The book comes with complete step-by-step photography and instructions for creating an Amineko of your very own and personalizing this cute cat with different facial expressions, clothing, and even bedding. Hundreds of color photographs tell the

Patti Culea, elinor peace bailey, and Barbara Willis are three of the leading doll artists and teachers in the country. They are also friends. Each of these artists has her own distinct approach to the design and development of a cloth figure. In this book, each artist's process will come alive through their choice of fabrics, sketches, simple patterns, and skill-building variations. The book is o

A behind-the-scenes look at the forty-year history of the popular Disney theme park ride and film adaptation, Pirates of the Caribbean, includes illustrations and photographs, recollections of cast and crew, and early story concepts.

Turn the colorful die-cut pages of this irresistible board book to discover just what makes little owl's tree so cozy. Is it little owl's sturdy branch and snuggly roost? No, it's his loving family! Bright pictures, reassuring messages, unique layered pages and an adorable felt finger puppet attached to each book combine to create interactive reading and playtime fun!

This amazing collection of trophy animal heads to crochet will be a stunning addition to any home. Inside this colorful book there are 10 fabulous trophy animals to choose from. Simply place above the fireplace for a great conversation piece or on a child's bedroom wall for a playful decoration. The projects vary in level of complexity and there is a comprehensive techniques section to help you le

Czechoslovakia's unique culture of puppet theater reached a glorious apex between about 1900 and 1950, and its visual style was integral to the development of modernist and contemporary theater and animation. The Puppet and the Modern looks at this incredibly fertile phase in puppetry in Bohemia and Moravia and traces the development of stage design and stage technologies, also focusing on the con

Children are sure to love this delightful finger puppet book. Layered die-cut pages allow a peek at all the colorful things that make up each animal's home, and an adorable folk-art style finger puppet make this book that is filled with reading and playtime fun.

Meet Kevin Clash, the man behind the Muppet and the unassuming heart and soul of Elmo. At last, the puppeteer who has performed Elmo for nearly twenty years comes out from behind the stage to share his story. Weaving together his memories of growing up with the life lessons gained from his furry red alter ego, Kevin reveals himself to be as caring, and as eager to grow and learn and love, as the v

An inspiring message for all ages: Find your inner bird.

If you’re looking for wisdom and joy in your life, go straight to Sesame Street and heed the words of its most beloved and profound resident, Caroll Spinney, who has spent the past thirty-four years in a bird costume (and a trash can) as Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch.

Three decades inside a giant puppet have taught Spinney a valuable and surpr

An imaginative child who doesn’t quite fit in finds a kindred spirit in this utterly charming picture book from a debut author-illustrator.

Oliver is different. He enjoys his solitude. He likes playing with his friends, who are puppets, stuffed animals, and other toys. With his rich imagination, Oliver’s day is never dull. There are bridges to cross, sharks to fight, and treasures to find! But mayb

Go Behind-The-Scenes on the Original TMNT Films!
Learn all the insider secrets from Kenn Scott, who portrayed 'Raphael' in the original hit TMNT films of the 1990s. You'll discover never-heard-before, wild stories of what it took to bring the turtles to life on the silver screen (and no punches are pulled). You'll be amazed by:

The challenges of working in the "hot-as-hell" suits
How the incredible s

The Prop Builder's Molding & Casting Handbook

This is the first book to contain, in one comprehensive volume, every molding and casting procedure of use to the theater props builder (no matter what his or her level or proficiency). The author demonstrates the techniques involved in using more than thirty different materials ranging from papier-mache to breakaway glass.

While the use of some materi

Examines the best of the Golden Age of ventriloquism, by profiling five performers who turned a vaudevillian gimmick into an American art form, including Edgar Bergen, Paul Winchell, Jimmy Nelson and Shari Lewis.

Peter Schumann and his Bread & Puppet Theater are likely the most important, and surely the longest-lasting, contributors to modern American theater history. Since the early sixties Schumann and his puppeteers have been pouring out work after work on every scale: political works, mysterious works, grand works, modest works, works on the street and works in fields, works to be played in every size

The master puppeteer, Gaspare Grisini, is so expert at manipulating his stringed puppets that they appear alive. Clara Wintermute, the only child of a wealthy doctor, is spellbound by Grisini’s act and invites him to entertain at her birthday party. Seeing his chance to make a fortune, Grisini accepts and makes a splendidly gaudy entrance with caravan, puppets, and his two orphaned assistants.

Lizz

A collection of wise and witty quotes from and inspired by Jim Henson similar in format to The World According to Mister Rogers. "When I was young, it was my ambition to be one of the people who made a difference in this world. My hope is to leave the world a little better for my having been there. It's a wonderful life and I love it." Jim Henson "Yeah, well, I've got a dream too. But it's about

A dark and frightening fully painted novella, MR. PUNCH tells the tale of a young boy's loss of innocence results from a horrific confrontation with his past. Spending a summer at his grandfather's seaside arcade, a troubled adolescent harmlessly becomes involved with a mysterious Punch and Judy Man and a mermaid-portraying woman. But when the violent puppet show triggers buried memories of the bo

Turn the colorful die-cut pages of this irresistible board book to discover just what makes little deer's forest so cozy. Is it the fluffy snow? No, it's their loving families! Bright pictures, sweet reassuring messages, unique layered pages, and an adorable finger puppet combine to create interactive reading and playtime fun!

"Highly recommended." — Library Journal
Marionettes, those beguiling, animated little actors on strings, have endeared themselves to puppet show lovers for generations. Constructed to approximate most nearly the movement and appearance of humans and animals, the jointed figures appear today in a variety of places — in the theater, motion pictures, schools, and even as an advertising medium. This in

The dead of winter.

An isolated island off the coast of Maine.

A man.

A woman.

A sinister house looming over the sea ...

He's a reclusive writer whose macabre imagination creates chilling horror novels. She's a down-on-her-luck actress reduced to staging kids' puppet shows. He knows a dozen ways to kill with his bare hands. She knows a dozen ways to kill with laughs.

But she's not laughing now. When she

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

In five decades of full-time puppetry, the Bob Brown Marionettes have done it all and won the respect of their public and peers. These consummate artists have survived devastating setbacks and numerous disappointments yet find the funny side. This book, much of it in Judy's unique narrative, is a delight to read. Scattered throughout are kernels of hard-earned wisdom only seasoned performers can i

In his 20 year affiliation with Jim Henson's Muppets Joseph A. Bailey was a staff writer on both Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. He also co-wrote the television specials Big Bird in China, Christmas Eve on Sesame Street and Rocky Mountain Holiday, starring John Denver and the Muppets on location in Aspen, Colorado. Additionally, Mr. Bailey wrote Sesame Street song lyrics, albums, five 90-minute

A little bird waiting in his nest for his mother to bring back food is blown into the sky, nest and all, by a great wind. Will he be able to fly?

Autumn is coming, and George sits in his little nest, not quite ready to learn to fly even though his mom says it is time to head south for the winter. But when a gust of wind swoops George and his nest out of the tree and onto the roof of a car, George i

Turn the colorful die-cut pages of this irresistible board book to discover just what makes little butterfly's flower so cozy. Bright pictures, sweet reassuring messages, unique layered pages, and an adorable finger puppet combine to create interactive reading and playtime fun!

Since prehistoric times, man has used masks to express himself in ritual, drama, and religion. Many traditional dramatic works, especially those of Asia and Europe, rely heavily on masks to characterize and express the persona of the actor. There has been little published material available, however, to guide technicians assigned the task of creating the masks for theatrical production.

Thurston Ja

Between 1986 and 1991, nearly ten million people a week watched Peewee’s Playhouse, the critically acclaimed and widely successful children’s program broadcast on CBS. Now, on the 25th anniversary of the show, the complete behind-the-scenes story is being told for the first time by those who experienced it. Complete with an episode guide, biographical information about the cast and key members of

Wilhelmina “Will” Huckstep is a creative soul struggling to come to terms with a family tragedy. She crafts whimsical lamps, in part to deal with her fear of the dark. As she wraps up another summer in her mountain town, she longs for unplugged adventures with her fellow creative friends, Autumn, Noel, and Reese. Little does she know that she will get her wish in the form of an arts carnival and a

So here it is -- the real deal, the inside scoop, the story behind the making of Muppets From Space. This official movie scrapbook is packed with full-color, behind-the-scenes photos, exclusive interviews, and fascinating factoids on the Muppets and the film.

Get up close and personal with Gonzo, Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the Muppet cast

Meet the men and women behind the stars -- the pupp

Costumes are an integral part of any performance, adding believability, conveying setting, or establishing the tone, a fact that is no less true when your performer is a puppet! The only book of its kind, The Well-Dressed Puppet will show you how to create costumes and accessories tailored specifically for your puppet that will enhance any performance. Gone are the days of ill-fitting store-bought

Turn the colorful die-cut pages of these irresistible board books to discover just what makes little mouse's pumpkin patch so cozy. Is it the curling pumpkin vines? No, it's their loving families! Bright pictures, sweet reassuring messages, unique layered pages, and an adorable finger puppet combine to create interactive reading and playtime fun!

Skits and Puppets Contents:

SKITS: Icebreakers, Pantomimes, Charades

PUPPETS: paper bag puppets, talking puppets, box puppets, sock puppets, animal sock puppets, how to operate your puppet, hand-puppet theater, scenery, prop board, puppet playwriting, bib puppets, bib-puppet stages, finger puppets, shadow puppets, storytelling, creative dramatics, playmaking

By the late 1960s more than a few critics of American culture groused about the condition of television programming and, in particular, the quality and content of television shows for children. In the eyes of the reform-minded, commercial television crassly exploited young viewers; its violence and tastelessness served no higher purpose than the bottom line.

The Children's Television Workshop (CTW)

Aimed at children's librarians, this text demonstrates how to use puppets and storytelling to enthuse young audiences. This revised edition pays particular attention to literature-based instruction and multicultural themes. Techniques include open-box theatres and sound and action stories.

Celebrate the decorative intricacy of tiled mosaics in your next quilting or sewing project. Paula proves how easy it can be to get perfect precision patchwork on a small scale. Create wonderfully colorful patterns using lots of different fabrics in these miniature quilts, table runners, tote bags, and many other projects. Good things really do come in small packages!

Even in the later stages of the disease, when memory, words and relationships are affected, it is possible for people with dementia to express emotions, imagination, humour, sensitivities and personal preferences. This book demonstrates the many ways in which puppetry and associated art forms such as singing and story-telling can be used in a person-centred way to create opportunities for these hu

Theatregoers are increasingly aware of the growing use of object and figure animation throughout the performing arts. Puppetry offers engaging contemporary perspectives on this universal art-form. It provides an account of puppetry's different facets, from its demands and techniques through its uses and abuses to its history and philosophy.

The puppet creates delight and fear. It may evoke the innocent play of childhood, or become a tool of ritual magic, able to negotiate with ghosts and gods. Puppets can be creepy things, secretive, inanimate while also full of spirit, alive with gesture and voice. In this eloquent book, Kenneth Gross contemplates the fascination of these unsettling objects—objects that are also actors and images of

Written with the full cooperation of Sid and Marty Krofft, this book not only encompasses a celebration and examination of their shows (including H.R. Pufnstuf, Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, and The Land of the Lost), but is a joint biography of the brothers and their fascinating road to Hollywood.

John Kennedy offers 13 original puppet projects, along with 30 featured puppets. Each project has straightforward instructions, showing how to bring the creations to life.

Playwriting for Puppet Theatre provides a foundation for those puppeteers, teachers and librarians who want to develop suitable scripts for puppet theatre. Mattson explores the difference between traditional theatre and puppet theatre and notes the special characteristics of the various puppets. The important aspects of script writing are then addressed. She considers the many general questions wh

Chushingura (The Treasury of Loyal Retainers), also known as the story of the Forty-Six (or Forty-Seven) Ronin, is the most famous and perenially popular of all Japanese dramas. Written around 1748 as a puppet play, it is now better know in Kabuki performances. In the twentieth century, cinema and television versions have been equally successful. Donald Keene here presents a complete translation o

Beloved storyteller and creator Ashley Bryan reveals the vibrant spirit of found objects in this magnificent treasury of poetry and puppets.

Little Cranberry Island. It's a small island, with fewer than a hundred inhabitants, but it's got more than its share of treasures—including the magnificent Ashley Bryan himself, a world-renowned storyteller and author of such classics as All Night, All Day an

This study analyzes the folkloric genres that comprise the repertoire of the marionette theater in Sicily. Here, epic, farce, saints' lives, bandits' lives, fairytales, Christian myth, and city legend offer the vehicles by which puppeteers comment upon, critique - perhaps even negotiate--the relationships among the major classes of Sicilian society: the aristocracy, the people, the clergy and the

"Brilliant . . . even more ambitious than Vogel's "How I Learned to Drive" . . . it covers more ground and is bolder in its storytelling. Vogel's language is at its most poetic, eloquent and elegiac. In fact, its vivid imagery rivals the prose style of any great American short story writer. The play sounds like it might have been adapted from a beautiful, undiscovered novella."-"New Haven Register