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"Beauty and the Beast" with Elsenpeter Marionettes

Puppet Show!
Sat, Jun 22, 2024
11:00 am – 11:45 am

Join us for a magical marionette puppet performance telling the enchanting fairytale of Beauty and the Beast! 

The Elsenpeter Marionettes, headed by Richard B. Elsenpeter, is a professional full-time performing marionette company who has entertained millions of children in live shows for over 139 years. Besides performing more than 200+ programs nationally each year, Mr. Elsenpeter will write, produce, create, and carve an entirely new program annually. The Elsenpeter Marionettes specialize in children’s classics and adapt stories with which most children are familiar.

The Elsenpeter Marionettes tradition of puppetry started in Elen, Germany, about 139 years ago, by Richard’s great grandfather. Their traditional form of puppetry has been handed down through four generations. Richard describes their approach as the “Old World style of puppetry.” It’s very nostalgic and is rarely seen anymore in America because of its technical difficulties.

Three shows!
11 am, 1 pm, & 3 pm

To learn more, visit the Elsenpeter Productions website.

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Summer Fun for Kids & Families 


• May 19, Read for the Stars! Summer Reading Kickoff Party, 12–3 pm 
• May 25, Yo-Yo Champion Mark Hayward, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm 
 
• June 1, Jodi Koplin’s Jigglejam | Live Music for Kids!, 3 pm 
• June 8, “Once Upon a Time” with Bright Star Theatre, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm 
• June 15, Juneteenth Emancipation Day Celebration, 12–3 pm · Douglass Branch 
• June 22, “Beauty and the Beast” with Elsenpeter Marionettes, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm 
• June 29, ScribbleMonster | Live Music for Kids!, 3 pm 
 
• July 6, Wendy & DB | Live Music for Kids!, 3 pm 
• July 13, Bedazzling Butterfly Tents, 12–4 pm 
• July 20, BIG, Bang, Bubbles Show!, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm 
• July 27, Little Miss Ann | Live Music for Kids!, 3 pm 
 
• Aug 3, Hooked On Science: “Wild Weather” with Mr. Science, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm 
• Aug 4, Read for the Stars! Summer Reading Finale, 12–3 pm 
• Aug 10, Jeanie B | Live Music for Kids!, 3 pm 
 
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All ages | Performance

Main Library, Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

The Library is committed to making events accessible for all. To request an Americans with Disabilities Accommodation, please complete this form, or contact us by email at info@champaign.org, by phone at 217/403-2000, or through chat. Learn more about accessibility at the library.


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