Wednesday, November 21, 2001
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Wednesday, November 21, 2001 |
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Elves save Shoemaker's business in show at Center for Puppetry Arts By MICHAEL
BOYLAN
Everybody knows that elves are good at making things, but where is an elf to go if he doesn't want to work in the North Pole? New York City, of course. At least that's where Gino and Frankie go after they have a fight with their boss over artistic freedom. The two elves help out Mel Footmeyer and his wife Tootsie as they are about to lose the shoe shop they've owned for 42 years. A society matron stumbles upon a pair of chic shoes created by the elves and soon everybody in town is buying a pair of shoes from the Footmeyers. "The Shoemaker and the Elves" is based on the fairy tale by The Brothers Grimm, but it has been modernized and set in 1940s New York. The show, which will be presented at The Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, was written by Lorna Howley and director Bobby Box and is accompanied by Thom Jenkin's score. "As we were writing the show, we realized how important the music would be" said Box. "It had to be lively and fun but it also had to evoke a certain time and place. Jenkins delivered the goods." The puppets, both rod puppets and shadow puppets, were designed by Pagdon and Ron Binion and are puppeteered by Rita Dolphin and Dan Bollinger. Liz Lee created the lighting design for the production. Performances for "The Shoemaker and the Elves" will be Nov. 23-Dec. 16. Showtimes are Tuesday-Fridays at 10:30 a.m. and noon, Saturdays at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. and Sundays at noon and 2 p.m. Performances will also take place Dec. 18-Jan. 6 with showtimes Tuesdays-Saturdays at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. and Sundays at noon and 2 p.m. Admission for everyone five years old and older is $10. Admission includes the performance, the Create-A-Puppet Workshop and admission to the museum which features a number of exhibits, including Velo Theatre, Posters International, Masks and Puppets: The Power of Wonder. The Center for Puppetry Arts is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. It is located at 1404 Spring St. in Atlanta and is accessible from MARTA. Phone 404-873-3391. |
