Members of Junior Auxiliary of West Point are finalizing details for a production of “The Fisherman and His Wife” on Friday, Nov. 6, at Center Stage Auditorium.
The highly acclaimed Puppet Arts Theatre, a professional touring company under the direction of Peter Zapletal, will perform “The Fisherman and His Wife.” Zapletal is an award-winning puppetry producer and a former puppeteer and animator for Mississippi Educational Television. His television specials have been seen nationwide on PBS. Joining him on stage will be T. J. McSparrin, a professional actress and puppeteer who has previously appeared at New Stage Theater in Jackson and on Mississippi ETV. Jarmila Zapletal, a professional puppet maker and designer, created sets for the production.
“We are so thrilled to have Mr. Zapletal and Puppet Arts Theatre perform in West Point,” stated Allison Trolio, president of Junior Auxiliary of West Point. “It will be such a treat for the children to see the creativity in their work and the story is not only entertaining, it teaches a valuable lesson.”
“The Fisherman and His Wife” is a well-known fairytale from the collection of the Brothers Grimm, but the theme of greed and uncontrolled wishing for the impossible appears in many other stories across the world. In this adaptation, a fisherman catches a golden fish, “The Queen of The Sea.” At her request, the fisherman releases the queen, who then offers to fulfill any wish the he asks. The fisherman has no wishes, but his wife has many. Her greed increases, and the story comes with a surprising and satisfying ending.
“The Fisherman and His Wife” is set to the music of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and performed with the puppeteers in the full view of the audience, manipulating very large hand puppets. The set consists of two large rotating towers constantly creating new performing spaces. Children from the audience join the professional cast on stage and perform with the puppets made by the company. The Greater Jackson Arts Council provided a grant to make this production possible.
Since 1968, Puppet Arts Theatre has brought exciting and memorable performances to its audiences and has thrilled children of all ages from Boston to Tampa and throughout the Southeast. The company is on the Performing Arts Touring Program of the Mississippi Arts Commission. The West Point/Clay County Arts Council generously provided Center Stage as the venue for Friday’s performances.
The 10:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. performances on Friday have already sold out, however tickets are still available for the 8:45 a.m. showing. Tickets, which are $5, may be purchased through any JA member. For more information, please call (662) 495-9247.
