March 2007   Go to Calendar Home Page –  View Previous Out and About Articles 

Dinosaurs: Roaring Fun
Center For Puppetry Arts, Atlanta

Prehistoric sounds are always coming from my kids’ playroom, loud “roars” and heavy stomps that can only be music to a mother’s ears. So when I heard Dinosaurs was returning to the Center for Puppetry Arts, I expected my older two children would love it. I wasn’t disappointed.

From the very moment the lights went down to the last seconds of the show, my son and daughter were captivated by Francine, the little songbird who takes audiences on this dinosaur adventure. The singing puppet – who longs to be a dinosaur – has an endearing way of getting children’s attention and bringing laughter to this scientific show.

Of course, there were a few times, like when the T-Rex came on stage, that my daughter hopped in my lap, but for the most part there were more laughs than frights. My children were amazed by the lifelike quality and size of the puppets. The detail is really quite impressive.

Make sure you also take advantage of the puppet-making workshop (included in the ticket price) after the show. My kids and I loved making this creative little T-Rex and using the shadow screen to create our own puppet show. They’ve spent a lot of time practicing their puppeteer skills at home as well.

Word to the wise: The show was amazing, but some of the exhibit areas are not for younger children. Take seriously the sign warning parents that children may become frightened. My kids were frightened by the “Trashcan Phoenix” display (although I was impressed) and The Puppet Storeroom in the Puppets: The Power of Wonder exhibit. However, Art Clokey’s Gumby: The First 50 Years and the Demons, Monkeys and Men exhibits seemed to delight the children at the center that day. Both of these exhibits are in well-lit areas.

– Kristina Whitehurst.

Go to Calendar Home Page –  View Previous Out and About Articles