| Anansi,
Spiderman of Africa! |
Review
panelists said:
". . . with its beautifully researched and realized hand-batiked
scenery, its homage-ic, yet imaginative puppets, its clever
and humorous script, its well-chosen tales (from the many available),
and its masterful performance style, this show is a perfect
blend of traditional and contemporary. Crowd--pleasing for both
children and adults." I am honored to present the Uni to Bonny
Hall and Jamie Keithline of Crabgrass Puppet Theater for their
production "Anansi, Spiderman of Africa!"
also by Crabgrass Theater...
Bremen Town Musicians
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| The
Beanstalk Variations |
Review
panelists said:
"This production once again demonstrates John and Carol Farrell's
unique, clever approach to dramatic material."
also by Figures of Speech...
Nightingale |
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| Doctor
Kronopolis and the TimeKeeper Chronicles; A Space Opera
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| (no review
panelists' comments available) |
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J.E.Cross
and The Cosmic Bicycle Theatre |
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| God
Mother Radio |
Review
panelists said:
"Brilliant performance and concept, paralleling Serbian ethnic
cleansing with that of Catholics in the 18th Century. . . Innovative,
with puppets as passive participants." |
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Roman
Paska and Massimo Schuster |
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| Hunchback |
Review
panelists said:
"Superb direction, acting, and music, this show, with a large
cast, blending people, puppets and masks, is bold and engaging." |
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created
by Jim Lasko, Redmoon Theater |
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| Kwaidan |
Review
panelists said:
"Stunning design, dazzling special effects, brilliant conception
with innovative visual perspectives-spellbinding."
also by the Center for Puppetry Arts...
American Tall Tales
The Plant Doctor |
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Jon
Ludwig, Ping Chong and Mitsuru Ishii, Center
for Puppetry Arts
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| The
Old Man Who Made Trees Blossom |
Review
panelists said:
"This is a touching tale of jealousy, grief, evil, joy and triumph.
This almost wordless tale was performed using puppets and props
made of rice paper. Each character was unique in look, sound
and movement. The performance brought me to tears both times
I saw it." |
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Mary
Robinette Harrison and Jodi Eichelberger , Other Hand Productions |
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| Petrushka |
Basil Twist,
who dazzled both audiences and critics, and received an Uni
for his production of Symphonie
Fantastique, has done it again with his interpretation
of a classic ballet with music by Igor Stravinsky, performed
Bunraku-style, with twin pianists playing their own two-piano
arrangement of the score.
also by Basil Twist...
Symphonie Fantastique
The Araneidae Show and Other Pieces |
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Basil
Twist |
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| The
Plant Doctor |
Review
panelists said:
" . . . Under Jon Ludwig's direction, a "visual shout" of an
environment was created to present science information to a
broad range audience. The highly dense dialogue carries a mass
of scientific data. Hand puppets, rod puppets, body puppets,
actors with masks, shadow scenes and assorted articulated scenery
turn the stage into a continuous moving adventure of plot-carrying
information. . . A wide variety of performance styles made the
show satisfying to learning as well as entertainment." |
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Jon
Ludwig, Center for Puppetry
Arts |
|
| Salome
by Oscar Wilde |
Review
panelists said:
"This was the ultimate scarf marionette production. While the
concept, staging and manipulation were superb, they were a mere
background to the characterization and depth of emotion created
through the dramatic telling of this ageless story."
also by Hanne Tierney...
Flatlands: A Romance of
Many Dimensions
The Seagull
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Hanne
Tierney with Jane Wang and Sabir Mateen |
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| Sleeping
Beauty |
Review
panelists said:
"This show represents the kind of show we hope people see. Excellent
Puppetry that infects the audience with fun. Lots of laughs,
everyone was pleased". |
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Paul
Mesner, The
Paul Mesner Puppets |
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| Street
of Blood |
Review
panelists said:
"The design of his puppets and puppet costumes create a strong
visual message that begins the drama before a word is spoken
or a string is touched. Ronnie's voices and marionette manipulation
create characterizations of great range and depth, and subtlety.
Working as a solo artist, he is able to act many parts, giving
each puppet a clear and distinct personality. The shows are
directed with great style and pacing that hold the audience
from beginning to end. The writing of his marionette plays have
been recognized by Canada's highest play writing award. . .
. He uses his outstanding abilities as a puppeteer to fearlessly
explore profound and complex issues and emotions. For this reason,
above all others, I feel he deserves this award; for using his
superb gifts to extend the dramatic range of puppet theater.
In this respect, I think that Ronnie Burkett stands alone."
also by Ronnie Burkett, Theatre of Marionettes...
Tinka's New Dress |
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Ronnie
Burkett, Theatre of Marionettes, Created and performed by
Ronnie Burkett |
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| Toy
Theater Peony Pavilion |
Review
panelists said:
"This beautifully designed show effectively combined live actors,
puppets and toy theater. Each was a separate "world," and so
it all worked together. The folktale was a moving one, as well.
Love triumphed in the end." |
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Chinese
Theatre Workshop, Director, Writer and Performer Kuang-Yu
Fong
Design and performance by Stephen Kaplin and Richard Chang
Music performed by Baogang Liu, Karen Wong and Zhongxi Wu |
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| Walidad
the Grass Cutter |
Review
panelists said:
"This is village storytelling raised to a level of great artistry.
Expressive, tender manipulation, with fine acting, great humor,
comely and moving story performed with understated elegance."
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