Puppetworks often serves as a young child’s introduction to theater. Its new show, The Prince & The Magic Flute, also introduces opera to young audiences. The story, which is not as familiar to children as other Puppetworks shows, is best suited for kids ages 5-6, who can follow a more complex story. The marionette show incorporates opera music from Mozart, appealing to the adult chaperones and kids. The title itself gives you some idea of the story: a prince, Tamino, saves a bird catcher, Papageno, from a not-too-scary crocodile, with help from a genie, Trinkitat, who turns the croc into a frog. Tamino and Papageno journey to the “Palace of the Sun” to rescue a princess, Pamina, and her handmaiden, Papagena. The magic flute and a set of bells both help; their music tames some creatures of the night and helps the prince overcome the wicked queen. The magic flute also helps the prince walk through water (a shimmering sheet) and through fire (a rather impressive special effect for the rather bare-bones Puppetworks). As usual, the show, adapted by artistic director Nicolas Coppola, includes broad physical humor and puns. There is a chase scene — a Puppetworks staple that is always a crowd pleaser, particularly when the marionettes walk backwards into each other. Momostatos, a guard at the palace, has such a huge belly that it requires its own string; when he dances, his belly seems to have a life of its own. Momostatos thinks that Papageno, who has a tuft of feathers on his rear, is a bird, and he wants to cook him. One character tells another, “I don’t run from danger,” prompting the response, “Well, can we walk away very fast?” Later, Papageno, who is pursued by the old, homely Papagena, gets what he wants when it turns out that Papagena is really young and beautiful. The Prince & The Magic Flute runs through April 13. One of the funny puppeteers introduces the 50-minute show, and afterwards lets kids touch a marionette. Cinderella returns April 26 and runs through August 24.
Info: Where: 338 6th Ave. at 4th Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn When: Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30pm and 2:30pm How much: $7 adults, $6 children; reservations suggested For more info: (718) 965-3391; www.puppetworks.org Note: Recommended for ages 4 and up
