PUNSCHI is an exciting hand puppet show full of humor, adventure, and zest, performed under a big sun umbrella.

Our witty hero Kasper is preparing to go on a journey when his plans are flustered by a comical cow and he has to go on a rollicking chase to retrieve his suitcase. In the second act, the friendly giant Augustin wins a sweepstake and an inexperienced pilot is saved by grandma’s clothesline! This show follows the tradition of European-style fairground entertainment with lots of call-and-response between puppets and audience, accompanied by the ukulele and physical comedy.

The show was created in Germany and later immigrated to the US. It toured internationally for over forty years in the hands of its creator, who then handed it down one generation, from mother to daughter. With this blessing Jana has traveled over New England and New York for the past 7 years, performing Punschi for theaters, museums, schools, libraries, street fairs, town halls, and backyard parties.

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Saturday, March 5|1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Doors open at 1:00 PM; 60-minutes, no intermission

Tickets are available for $10 youth admission (13 and under), $15 in advance, $18 at the door, and $22 for preferred seating (sliding scale available).

Purchase any ticket and gain admission to the Puppetry Workshop with Spybird Theater for $15 instead of $25!

Funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies.

ARTIST BIO 

Jana Zeller grew up in a family of international puppeteers and started working as a designer, builder, and painter for the theater in her teens. She got her hands into oil painting when she was 16 and discovered a passion that has lasted to this day. She worked for years painting her own large-scale oil paintings that most often depicted theatrical scenes. As a set painter and designer she has worked for the theater, opera, TV, and the movies, and has designed and built a wide range of puppets.

20 years ago she founded her own puppet company Spybird Theater and has since created and performed three full-length puppet shows for adults and many short-form pieces, collaborating with dancers, circus artists, and musicians. Her work has been presented in the US, Canada, Mexico, Germany, and India. For the past five years, she has been touring with her sister, presenting a cherished children’s puppet show that the two sisters inherited from their mother. She lives with her family and parrot in Brattleboro, Vermont.

SLIDING SCALE POLICY

No one will be turned away for lack of funds; contact MSA at 207-879-4629 or info@mayostreetarts.org for information on our sliding scale admission policy.

COVID-19 POLICY

All patrons and staff attending events will need to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 (or negative test from within 48 hours) along with a matching photo ID. Children under 12 are exempt.

Audience members, staff, and volunteers will be asked to mask while not actively eating, or drinking.

Mayo Street Arts is committed to the safety of everyone at our events and will adhere to all Federal & Maine CDC guidelines on the day of the event. As we anticipate mid-season changes to our COVID-19 policy, please click here to visit our website and view the most current information.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Mayo Street Arts has a no refund policy for all reservations. In the event that MSA is forced to cancel an event due to weather, illness, etc., refunds will be offered via the Ticket Tailor platform.

Photo by Caleb Carr