PUPPET SHOWPLACE THEATRE CELEBRATES 38 YEARS OF SERVICE AND HONORS NEW ENGLAND ARTISTS WITH NEW ANNUAL AWARDS

Brookline, MA- On June 2nd, 2012, Puppet Showplace Theatre (PST) will celebrate its 38th year as the first continuously running puppet theatre in New England.  The Birthday Gala will be held on Saturday, June 2nd from 7pm to 10pm at Puppet Showplace Theatre, 32 Station Street, Brookline, MA, featuring special guest Peter H. Reynolds, founder of Fable Vision, who will also be presented with the Creative Leadership Award, and David Syrotiak, founder of the National Marionette Theatre, who will be presented with the first ever Paul Vincent Davis Award.   Tickets: $50, $38 (PST members), $300 (5-6 seats) or $500 (8-10) for V.I.P. Table.  To order tickets, call 617-731-6400, or register online: http://puppetshowplacetheatre.blogspot.com/2012/05/happy-birthday-pst.html 

Featured guest Peter H. Reynolds will be presented with the first Creative Leadership Award, given to a person in the community that has shown creative vision in the arts and who embodies the spirit of Puppet Showplace Theatre in inspiring creativity in audiences of all ages. Peter is an award-winning author, illustrator, educator, and founder of FableVision, a children's media company in Boston. His best-selling books include The North Star, The Dot, Ish, and Sky Color. His message of creative thinking and personal discovery has inspired thousands around the world to pursue their dreams.

In addition, Peter donates much of his time to the local community, revitalizing the businesses in his beloved town of Dedham -- supporting schools, and serving on the board of several non-profit organizations, such as Horizons for Homeless Children, Everybody Wins! Metro Boston, and the Dedham Historical Society.

The annual Paul Vincent Davis Award recognizes exceptional artistry, mentorship, and service in the field of puppetry arts. It is named after Paul Vincent Davis, the Artist in Residence Emeritus at PST, who will be presenting his eponymous award. Davis is widely recognized as one of America's foremost glove puppeteers. He has received four UNIMA awards for his work and was honored with the President's Award for lifetime achievement by the Puppeteers of America. Now retired from performing, Davis remains active as a teacher and mentor in the New England puppetry community. 

Master puppeteer David A. Syrotiak, Sr. will be the award’s first recipient. Syrotiak has dedicated his entire life to the field of puppetry, including founding the National Marionette Theatre in 1967, later winning a UNIMA award in 1976 for Art of the Puppeteer and another in 1997 for his adaptation of Beauty and The Beast.  Today, his sons David and Peter continue the company's legacy from their home base in Brattleboro, VT.

"We are thrilled that this award will recognize the superb talents and artistic contributions of New England-based puppeteers," says PST Artistic Director Roxanna Myhrum. "It is our hope that through the Paul Vincent Davis Award more people will become aware of the vitality of the puppetry arts in this region, and the ongoing efforts by master artists to mentor the next generation of puppeteers."

The Puppet Showplace Theatre Birthday Gala will feature live music, full bar, refreshments from local Brookline restaurants, a silent action, and, of course, a birthday cake.

Music for the evening includes the jazz, blues, and folk instrumentals of guitarist Steve Netsky, followed by the Rob Carlson Trio, bringing funk and bossa nova influences, including both original and familiar tunes. (Including a cameo appearance by PST’s own Executive Director!) Shirley Lewis and her Blues Band will close out the evening and get you up and dancing! 

Puppet Showplace Theatre is an award-winning non-profit performing arts organization committed to excellence in puppetry as a theatrical experience that educates, enlightens, and entertains audiences of all ages. Established in 1974, PST is the first and only year-round dedicated puppetry presenter in New England. Puppet Showplace Theatre is wheelchair accessible and located opposite the Brookline Village T station on the Green D Line, which is barrier free and accessible to all children and adults.

For more information about Puppet Showplace Theatre, contact Communications Director Brenda Huggins at 617-731-6400 x 201 or info@puppetshowplace.org