Crayon Court Production Features National Puppeteers

Ever wonder who is behind the puppets you see in the movies, on television and in commercials? You won’t recognize the faces and maybe not their names, but you probably know the characters they create and animate.

Some of today’s best known puppeteers will be in Thermopolis, Friday, March 27, to present “Crayon Court” – a fast-paced interactive musical creation. The production has received rave revues from sold-out audiences across the country.

Crayon Court is being sponsored by Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation as part of its community arts programming. “This is a great introduction for children to see live theater and puppeteering from some of the best and most creative people in the business,” said Jacky Wright, Broadway Bygones. “Small children will enjoy it because it’s colorful. Older children and adults will be intrigued by how the puppeteers work their magic.”

And just who is behind the life-size crayon costumes, the Royal Purple Ball and the latest dance craze, The Dinosaur Stomp?

Crayon Court was conceived by two-time Emmy-nominated puppeteer Thom Fountain. Audiences may know him better as Salem the talking cat (“Sabrina, the Teenage Witch”) or the Crypt Keeper (“Tales of the Crypt”). Fountain is a master puppeteer consultant for Disneyland. He has been a principal puppeteer at Camp Snoopy/Knotts Berry Farm, AstroWorld in Houston and served as director of MGM theme park in Las Vegas. He has also worked with Jim Henson Productions (Muppets) and engineered puppets in over two dozen national commercials, including Burger King and McDonald’s.

Other members of the team include:

The performance will be held at Hot Springs High School Auditorium at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the door, $8 for adults, $5 for students.

A student workshop is also planned