{"id":344726,"date":"2023-09-30T16:30:34","date_gmt":"2023-09-30T20:30:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/?p=344726"},"modified":"2023-09-30T16:30:34","modified_gmt":"2023-09-30T20:30:34","slug":"fun-and-chuckles-fill-puppet-co-s-witch-wartsmiths-halloween-spooktacular","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2023\/09\/30\/fun-and-chuckles-fill-puppet-co-s-witch-wartsmiths-halloween-spooktacular\/","title":{"rendered":"Fun and chuckles fill Puppet Co.’s ‘Witch Wartsmith\u2019s Halloween Spooktacular\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Witch Wartsmith\u2019s Halloween Spooktacular,<\/em> one of the annual holiday shows by the Puppet Co. in Glen Echo Park, is a fun-filled performance for the fall\u2019s spookiest holiday. The show \u2014 filled with puppets such as a blue-haired Witch Wartsmith, \u201cDancing Phalanges,\u201d talking statues, and so much more \u2014 works well for kids and parents alike in its third annual performance.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The Jackie O’s puppeteered by Mollies Greenberg, Jackie Madejski, and Andrew Quilpa in \u2018Witch Wartsmith\u2019s Halloween Spooktacular.\u2019 Photo by Elizabeth Dapo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is a variety show, where different characters perform to try to earn the applause of the audience so that they are declared the winner (a different one is declared at each performance). The puppeteers \u2014 a talented bunch, including Mollie Greenberg as Witch Wartsmith (your host for the production), Jackie Madejski as Benji, Danny Pushkin as Ghoulie, and Andrew Quilpa as Boris \u2014 take on their core roles, and others, in 45 minutes of entertainment that is creatively and technically excellent. Projections play a key role in this show, as testimonials from each contestant are displayed on the screen prior to their performances throughout the production.<\/p>\n

Witch Wartsmith<\/em> has an amusing script by Kirk Bixby and Elizabeth Dapo, and music by Bixby and John McLeod, which keeps not only kids but also adults smiling. There is a lot of physical comedy, puns, and some \u201cadvertisements\u201d sure to give you a chuckle. The chuckles, in addition to those ads, include smaller jokes that have been mixed in, like hand-held puppets Boris and Vince; references to horror icons Boris Karloff (Hollywood\u2019s \u201cFrankenstein\u201d) and Vincent Price (star of The House on the Haunted Hill<\/em>) whose sculpted performances are a testament to Ingrid Crepeau\u2019s design of them.<\/p>\n

This production, with pumpkins and neon-green lights surrounding the stage and social distancing stickers on the floor, is comfortable and safe Halloween entertainment. The stage design, also from Dapo, looks appropriately spooky as well; the audience is pulled into an old mansion that sets the mood behind the puppeteers, with candles in the center, well-designed stained glass windows on either side, and tombstones that abound.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Benji the Bat puppeteered by Jackie Madejski in \u2018Witch Wartsmith\u2019s Halloween Spooktacular.\u2019 Photo by Elizabeth Dapo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the design, however, what also matters is that Bixby and Dapo (who also co-directed this show) pump a lot of smoke onto the stage to help with transitions. And that there is a bubble-filled ending, and kids can take pictures afterward with their favorite characters. It is those kinds of kid-focused smaller choices, amidst a 45-minute production, that matter and become conversation points for the car ride home with little ones.<\/p>\n

This is a worthwhile kids’ theater because of the fun, and underlying it all, because of some talented puppeteers. When \u201cThe Flying Draculescu\u201d swings upside down, midway through the show, it is one of many \u201cwow\u201d moments from the puppets created by Dapo and Dre Moore. In addition to Phalanges, Greyson the Mastiff is a particularly impressive full-body marionette. And when a set of pumpkin puppets prance around the stage to a take on the Spice Girls, you cannot help but smile. Witch Wartsmith<\/em> also mixes in projections and video performances, designed by Bixby, which add to this well-honed production.<\/p>\n

All told, here is hoping that this show continues as an annual holiday tradition. Witch Wartsmith<\/em> is a fun, light-hearted, and affordable show in the comfortable confines of the Puppet Co\u2019s Glen Echo home.<\/p>\n

Running time: Approximately 45 minutes with no intermission.<\/p>\n

Witch Wartsmith\u2019s Halloween Spooktacular<\/strong> <\/em><\/a>plays through October 29, 2023, at the Puppet Co.<\/a> in Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD.\u00a0 Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m.; Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. For more information and tickets ($15), click here.<\/a><\/p>\n

The program for Witch Wartsmith\u2019s Halloween Spooktacular <\/em>is online here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Information about ASL, sensory-friendly, and mask-required performances to be announced.<\/p>\n

Witch Wartsmith\u2019s Halloween Spooktacular<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n

Original Script by Kirk Bixby & Elizabeth Dapo
\nOriginal Music by Kirk Bixby & John McLeod
\nLyrics by Kirk Bixby
\nChoreographed by Kirk Bixby
\nDirected by Kirk Bixby & Elizabeth Dapo<\/p>\n

Cast
\nMollie Greenberg as Witch Wartsmith and others
\nJackie Madejski as Benji and others
\nDanny Pushkin as Ghoulie B. and others
\nAndrew Quilpa as Boris and others
\nUnderstudies: Elizabeth Dapo, Momo Nakamura
\nFeatured Vocals: Kira Rangel<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The third-annual entertainment is creatively and technically excellent. By ERIC COLCHAMIRO<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":344729,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[32,18],"tags":[909,2609],"class_list":{"0":"post-344726","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-childrens-theater","8":"category-reviews","9":"tag-elizabeth-dapo","10":"tag-kirk-bixby"},"acf":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\nFun and chuckles fill Puppet Co.'s 'Witch Wartsmith\u2019s Halloween Spooktacular\u2019 - 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