Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago is a puppet town. Or was. Not only did the word “puppeteer” first see print here in 1915, but perhaps the most influential puppet show in American history, Burr Tillstrom’s “Kukla, Fran and Ollie,” debuted on TV here in 1947. It not only got parents buying televisions en masse, but — my own pet theory — the funny, ad-libbed program helped spawn Chicago’s live improv comedy scene in the 1950s.
4 comments:
I was never aware that puppets had such a history, specifically in the city of Chicago. I don’t think that puppets are the first thing that people think of when they think of Chicago. Nonetheless, this seems like a very fun and interesting festival to attend. I think people often think of puppets as only being able to do comedy or shows for children, so it is interesting that the article mentioned that there were also very many serious shows done at this puppet festival. I think that the creation of puppets would be something very interesting to look at as it involves character design but also mechanics and a look into how things move and work. Puppets definitely create a sense of nostalgia for many, thinking of some of the most beloved puppets like Sesame Street and The Muppets. I feel like the advantage and what makes puppets theatre different from theatre with human actors, is that these characters have to be so much more iconic in look, voice and personality, they are like cartoon characters brought to life.
I love puppetry. I think the attention to detail combined with the motion and emotional range that a puppet has makes them incredible additions to almost any production. A festival dedicated to them sounds incredible. Recently, my friend from Chicago made me a puppet. That’s not incredibly relevant to this article, but I do think it accurately reflects the statement “Chicago is a Puppet Town.” That being said, I googled tickets to this event, and they are not selling tickets for the festival as a whole. You have to buy tickets for individual puppet-themed events. Even from a true lover of puppets, this just does not seem like a great investment. I hope that the goals stated in this article come true. As traction for the puppeteering industry in Chicago increases, and the demand for tickets soars, maybe one day I will attend. For now, I will have to make due by watching all of the muppet movies over and over again for the rest of January.
I think most people view puppetry as a pretty juvenile career. When someone thinks about the puppets we have in our society their mind probably goes straight to the Muppets or Sesame Street which are shows that are currently catered towards young children. With that being said, I personally love the Muppets so this is not to say that only children can enjoy puppets. I think the most sophisticated puppet I have ever seen was the one my high school borrowed from Southern Oregon University for our production of Little Shop of Horrors. It was an absolutely monstrous Audrey II puppet so that was pretty cool to witness. Honestly, this puppet festival seems pretty magical. The way that they explained how an entire city just turns into a puppet town sounds like a lot of fun. I personally don’t know if I will ever make it to the puppet festival of Chicago but I certainly have some friends in Chicago that I can point in that direction.
This article caught my eye because I loved puppets as a child, and still now, mostly because of the muppets and sesame street. So much so that I remember begging my mom to let me take a puppet making class. Also, ever since moving away from home, one of my favorite things has been learning about cities and the unique communities they have. Last semester, I was able to check out a couple of the festivals Pittsburgh had such as Pogopalooza, which is a pogo competition in which people come from all over the country to compete to see who jumps the highest and has the best tricks. Even though it’s not something I’ve ever participated in, it was still amazing to watch people who are so passionate and dedicated to a niche interest. That’s one of the reasons why I’m so bummed I can’t attend the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival. Not only will people get to enjoy performances but they can also appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into making each one.
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