The Premier San Francisco
Bay Area Marionette Company

Repertoire

Classic hand-crafted theatrical productions for all ages

Restoration

Restoring antique puppets for future generations to enjoy

Events Schedule

The Art of the Puppet

The Fratello Marionettes delivers an interactive presentation on the art of puppetry – from creation to performance. The puppeteers will demonstrate hand puppets, rod puppets, and specialized trick marionettes. After each vignette, they will cover an aspect of the puppet building process. The presentation ends with a look behind the scenes and a Q&A session.

   

Aladdin

Using traditional music, intricate costumes, and dramatic staging, we present this magical tale adapted from “The 1,001 Arabian Nights” as it has never been seen before. Friendship and kindness triumph over evil as Aladdin discovers the magical lamp, frees and befriends the powerful genie, thwarts the evil sorcerer, and saves the kingdom.

   

Mother Goose Land

Enter the world of Mother Goose Land, where beloved nursery rhyme characters are brought to life. Mother Goose introduces you to her favorite stories: We encounter Mary and her lamb on their way to school, while Jack and Jill climb up a hill looking for water. Humpty Dumpty is perched high atop a wall waiting for the king’s arrival, and Bo-Peep searches for her lost sheep.

   

Jack & the Beanstalk

Our production of Jack & the Beanstalk follows Jack and his trusty companion Buttercup the Cow as they head to the fair. A mysterious peddler trades Jack five magic beans for his cow, and next thing you know, a huge beanstalk grows high into the sky. Jack climbs the beanstalk and discovers a grumpy giant in a castle in the clouds. Does Jack make it back down safely and bring riches back to his mother?

   

The Vaudeville Follies

“The Vaudeville Follies” is a marionette variety show presented in the spirit of the old-time music hall. Our puppeteers perform in full view of the audience. Each performance is designed to engage and enthrall: an opera singer, a trapeze artist, Pierrot and his balloon, a trained dog, and a ballet dancing chicken are just a few of the acts you might see.

   
See more upcoming shows!

Want to know more about the history of puppetry in California?

Check out the new book from the founder of the Fratello Marionettes!

A Century of California Puppetry:
How the West was Strung

by Randal J. Metz & Kevin Menegus

Learn about California’s 100+ years of puppetry and the outstanding practitioners of the craft of entertaining with puppets. More than 180 biographies of theatrical performers, film and television artists, and technical innovators paired with historical photos illustrate the state’s rich heritage and unique creativity in this ancient art.

“In a world where entertainment is super-fast paced and high tech, it’s really lovely to be able to enjoy an old-world form of entertainment that stands the test of time.”

— Sophie M.