A full-scale puppet invasion of Richmond is getting ready to descend upon Richmond over Winter Break. Local families and fans of puppetry are invited to join in the fun at Richmond Triangle Players as Puppets Off-Broad Street presents the first ever Winter Puppetfest.

With six different performances to choose from, there is a little bit of something for everyone. Love animals? “Galapagos George” tells the true story of a tortoise in South America. Enjoy vintage? Check out “Ooey Gooey,” a Victoriana inspired performance where well-dressed puppeteers bring to life classic characters including Miss Muffet and The Three Little Kittens.

Best of all, the December 26^th performance of “Ooey Gooey” is pay-as-you-“can” with a canned good or other donation that will be delivered to the Virginia Food Bank. “One of the segments in our show on the 26^th has a character who over-indulged a bit. Many of us do a bit of over-indulging during the holidays, and it’s important to remember that there are people in our community who are struggling to have their needs met,” says Heidi Rugg, founder of Puppets Off Broad Street.

Performances feature works by locally based Barefoot Puppet Theatre and guest artist, Bonnie Duncan, who will be traveling down from Boston.

Puppets Off-Broad Street is a new arts organization committed to presenting high-caliber programming on stage, on screen and in classrooms throughout the region. “There is more to puppetry than socks with googly eyes,” shares Heidi. “We would like to show Richmond the full scope puppetry arts.”

Who: Puppets Off-Broad Street

What: The first ever RVA Winter Puppetfest!

Where: Richmond Triangle Players Theatre

When: December 26-January 3 (details below)

Friday, December 26 at 11am and 2pm: Ooey Gooey! (DEC. 26 SPECIAL: Bring a donation to the Food Pantry and then your ticket is donation-based!)

Saturday, December 27 at 11am and 2pm:  Little Red & the Gingerbread Man

Sunday, December 28 at 1pm and 3:30pm: The Little “Bread” Hen

Monday, December 29 at 11am and 2pm: Galapagos George

Tuesday, December 30^th at 11am, 2pm, & a special 7pm Pajama Party Performance: Dreamtime

Friday, January 2^nd at 11am and 2pm: Little Red & the Gingerbread Man

Saturday, January 3^rd at 11am and 2pm: Squirrel Stole My Underpants!

Tickets are only $10 each (except for Dec. 26^th, where you pay-as-you-“can” with a donation to the Food Pantry) and are available through Brown Paper Tickets online at www.puppetsoffbroadstreet.org. For questions, group sales, or back-stage tours, you can also call 804-852-2810.