No Strings Marionette Co. Brings ‘Jack & the Beanstalk’ to Chandler

The beloved children's tale of "Jack and the Beanstalk" comes to Chandler for Thanksgiving, courtesy of Randolph's own No Strings Marionette Co. For tickets, call 728-6464.

Chandler Center for the Arts invites families and children of all ages to usher in the holiday the season and enter the wonders of traditional puppet theatre with the No Strings Marionette Company’s performance of "Jack and the Beanstalk" at Chandler Music Hall Saturday, Nov. 24 at 11 a.m.

This well-loved tale is told with all the magic and mischief their hand-crafted marionettes can muster and features 15 handcrafted puppets, complete with one ravenous, rummaging Giant.

Since moving to Randolph, Barbara Paulson and Dan Baginski have enchanted local audiences with their presentation of both classic and original stories, and this Thanksgiving-weekend performance has become a well-loved tradition for many families. The two puppeteers say they find themselves happy to share their gifts with the community, and are especially grateful to have access to the beautiful performance space at Chandler Music Hall.

The company has toured New England for over 10 years, performing at hundreds of schools, libraries, festivals and community events. They have dazzled tens of thousands of children and adults with their marionette magic.

Paulson and Baginski say they find enormous pleasure in the delight they are able to inspire in their young audience members. Their creativity reaches into every aspect of the production, including script writing, making puppets and costumes, recording soundtracks, and constructing sets and props.

Although many puppet shows curtain off the puppeteers from the audience, Baginski and Paulson perform in full view of their audience.

"We find that children are interested in seeing how the puppets work and how we do things," says Baginski.

After the performance, children and their parents are invited up onto the stage to inspect the marionettes and the other tools of the puppeteers’ trade. This is perhaps the most magical aspect of their performances. Long after the curtain closes, children are still in earnest "conversation" with some of the wooden stars of the show, while others delight in exploring a trunk full of costumes and props.

As always, the performance will feature a rousing singalong to begin the hour, and will close with a chance to meet the puppeteers and their puppets on the Chandler stage.

Tickets may be ordered by calling Kathy at 728-6464, or can be purchased at the box office Saturday morning. Chandler Music Hall is wheelchair accessible.

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