Child's delight at Eric Carle Museum: Life-sized puppets and dancers

November 6, 7:09 PMChildren's Entertainment ExaminerPaula Slade

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           A House for Hermit Crab presented by Picture Book Theatre

By:  Paula Slade

Nothing is more enchanting for a small child than to experience the wonder of storybook characters that come to life.

Each Saturday during the month of November, and on Friday November 27, 2009, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art will host performances of the Picture Book Theatre Company, as they present two fall productions, A House for Hermit Crab and Mister Seahorse.

The 45-minute shows are at 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. and pack a great deal of children’s entertainment into the time frame.

A House for Hermit Crab, based on Eric Carle’s charming book about a little crab who decorates his shell with other creatures from the sea and then grows out of his beautiful home, features recorded narration by popular public radio host, Walter Carroll from WFCR, specially composed music along with a cast of eight players, large puppets and young dancers from Amherst Ballet – all in costumes, masks and telling the tale with scenery and props.

The story of Mr. Seahorse, based on Carle’s award-winning book, is a tale about different male fish that carry and care for their fish eggs, as Mr. Seahorse himself carries the next generation of seahorses. In this Picture Book Theatre presentation, producer Therese Brady Donohue, a 2008 Massachusetts Cultural Council Gold Star Award-winner, utilizes an elaborate set, artful narration by Matthew Roerhig (known locally for his prominent roles in Valley Light Opera) and stick puppets that exactly replicate the exquisite collage illustrations in Carle’s book.

The Museum also will have an exhibition of A House for Hermit Crab and Mr. Seahorse in its West Gallery.

General admission for Picture Book Theatre is $5 (does not include Museum admission but visitors can enter for the show only). Advance tickets are recommended and are available at the Museum’s Admissions Desk or by calling (413) 658-1136. Tickets may also be purchased on the day of the performance at the museum.

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