NYC Adventure: City Parks Foundation Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre

Three little pigs and the three little bears have been very popular around our house lately. My three year old daughter loves to hear the repetitious nature of both stories. So I jumped at the chance to see a modern adaptation in a puppet show form that integrated both stories.

The current original show created by the Marionette Theatre in NYC’s Central Park is called “Three” and has the Big Bad Wolf returning to fairytale land to earn a new name, The Big Good Wolf, by stepping into the stories of the three little pigs, the three bears and the three Billy goats gruff and helping them out with good deeds.

Taking my daughter to see live entertainment was such a treat. The marionettes and theatre sets were beautifully designed and painted. The theatre in the Swedish Cottage is small with wooden, curved child-sized benches. It felt like stepping back in time. I could envision little kids seventy years ago sitting on the same benches. The focus is certainly on catering to kids but the witty dialogue and catchy musical elements of the show kept me entertained as well.  It amazes me that a group of young kids raised on cartoons and video games presented on high-definition television can still be appreciative and captivated by marionettes. They were entranced for an hour and participated by dancing and voting on the wolf’s destiny.

Founded in 1939, the Marionette Theatre Company continues to fashion its own scripts, make its own puppets, and produce its own shows. I never realized what a gem we had in the Swedish Cottage in Central Park. Whether you’re a native or a visitor, this is a must-see activity for kids under 12.

Tickets are $5 for children and $8 for adults.  Reservations are required. Purchase tickets at www.cityparksfoundation.org

That’s IT Mommy friend, Jill