By Mark Ambrogi
Heidi Shackleford expects this will be a puppet show for all ages.
“I do a cabaret style variety show, and within in it I have some holiday numbers,” Shackleford said. “It’s a great show for all ages because it’s not a play. It doesn’t cater to really, really little kids, only or older groups. The appeal to it is everyone enjoys the show. There is a little something for everybody.”
The Melchior Marionettes, which includes Shackleford, will present “Holiday Cabaret on Strings” at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 17 at the Studio Theater in Carmel. It’s part of the Peanut Butter and Jam series. This is the second year Shackleford is holding the show at the Center for the Performing Arts.
Shackleford, who will have eight to 10 puppets for the show, said it’s not geared just toward Christmas.
“It’s not all Christmas. There’s lots of different numbers in there,” Shackleford said.
Shackleford is in her second year as an art teacher at Center Grove High School. Prior to that, she was a full-time puppeteer.
The group’s puppets are all hand-crafted, Shackleford said.
Tickets are limited. They are $10 per child with two free adult tickets with child ticket purchased. To purchase tickets, call 317-843-3800.
Shackleford’s mother, Peggy Melchior Pearson, and Debbi White are co-owners of Peewinkle’s Puppet Studio, which moved to the Indiana State Museum in September. The capacity in Indianapolis is 65 compared to the old capacity of 48.
“Christmas at the Puppet Studio” runs through Dec. 28. For more, visit peewinklespuppets.org. There also is the Melchior Marionette Theatre in Nashville, Tenn. That business was started in 1952 by Peggy’s mother, Erica.
