Fairytale Town's popular annual Puppet Festival will kick off its 16th season on May 3. During the eight-week series, four original puppet shows will be presented by Art Grueneberger's award-winning Puppet Art Theater Company.

This year's lineup features artful and hilarious adaptations of four classic fairytales: "Little Red Riding Hood" from May 3 - 13; "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" from May 17 - 27; "Hansel & Gretel" from May 31 - June 10; and the premiere of "Cinderella" from June 14 - 30.

"The Puppet Festival is an experience the whole family will enjoy, and it is a great opportunity to introduce live theater to children," said Kathy Fleming, executive director of Fairytale Town.

Performances are offered Thursdays through Sundays. Weekday show times are: 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Weekend show times are: 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. All performances take place in the indoor Children's Theater at Fairytale Town.

Tickets are $2 for nonmembers in addition to park admission, and $1 for members. Tickets can be purchased at the Fairytale Town box office or at the entrance to the Children's Theater 15 minutes prior to show time.

For more information, visit fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462. The Puppet Festival is made possible in part by ScholarShare College Savings Plan.

About the Shows

"Little Red Riding Hood"
May 3 - 13
Little Red and her dog Fifi are taking pepperoni pizza to Grandma's when they run into the wolf. Wolf loves pizza and plots to get Red's. Join Red, Fifi and Grandma as they try to keep the wolf from eating them and their pepperoni pizza.

"The Three Billy Goats Gruff"
May 17 - 27
This production starts with the classic race of "The Tortoise and the Hare." The conclusion of the race takes place on the Troll Bridge, waking up the Grumpy Old Troll. Three Billy Goats must find a way to outwit the Troll and get across the bridge so they can enjoy the field of green grass. Little Billy, his older sister Brittany, and their father Bruno all try to trip-trap their way across the bridge. Will they make it?

"Hansel & Gretel"
May 31 - June 10
Gretel overhears her stepmother convince her father to lead she and her brother into the forest and leave them there for good. Hansel's plan to leave a trail of bread crumbs to find their way home fails miserably, and he and Gretel are left in the forest to fend for themselves. It is there that they discover a house made of Gingerbread. Little did they know the house belongs to a Wicked Old Witch. Will Hansel and Gretel escape the Witch and find their way home?

"Cinderella"
June 14 - 30
The classic "Cinderella" story is retold in an artful and hilarious manner in this new production premiering at the Puppet Festival. Cinderella has always wanted to go dancing at a fancy Ball. Despite the best efforts of two horrible step sisters, a wacky Fairy Godmother helps Cinderella get to the ball where she meets a wonderful prince.

Puppet Art Theater Company was founded in 1994 by Art Grueneberger, who serves as artistic director. Grueneberger has puppeteered for many film, television and video projects. His puppet productions have been seen by thousands of audiences across the United States. His shows have toured internationally and also include adult productions seen in local venues such as Zeum Theater in San Francisco and the Mondavi Center at UC Davis. For more information about Art Grueneberger and Puppet Art Theater, please visit puppetarts.com.

Fairytale Town is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit children's park and educational center in Land Park whose mission is to promote the imagination, creativity and education of children. Established in 1959, Fairytale Town is home to 25 three-dimensional play sets based on favorite fairytales and nursery rhymes, a family of 22 rare and miniature breed animals, three interactive learning gardens and two performing arts stages. From March through October, the park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. From November through February, the park is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting. For more information, visit fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.