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A winter review of HERE’s puppetry state of mind; Dream Music’s annual celebration of imagination, possibility, exciting techniques and community creation. Featuring the World Premiere of PARCHED by Official Puppet Business, RUBY & CHARLIE by Jessica Simon & Co, and a surprise third show to be announced!

PARCHED by Official Puppet Business

In the far-flung future, water scarcity has led to humanity’s extinction. A sentient mushroom, inhabiting plastic bottles like a hermit crab, is scouring the wastes for water. Getting lost in a sandstorm she stumbles upon a remnant of human technology, a deep well drill, and manages to turn it on. The earth trembles as the machinery is resurrected, succeeding in extracting some water, but also awakening something forgotten, buried deep in the sand. Something with an insatiable thirst…

From the team that brought you Bill’s 44th (2025 Drama Desk Nominee for Outstanding Puppetry, New York Times Critics’ Pick), Parched is a cinematic theatrical experience that uses intricate puppetry, stunning visuals, a live band, sharp humor, and no dialogue to explore ideas of revenge, scarcity, greed, and finding hope in a tumultuous ride among the tumbleweeds.

RUBY & CHARLIE by Jessica Simon & Co.

Inspired by swing dance and the music of Ray Charles, Ruby & Charlie is a wordless, dance and movement-focused piece utilizing tabletop puppetry to tell the story of a couple in the 1950s.  Developed with funding from The Jim Henson Foundation at the O’Neill Theater Center and The Freight, this work-in-progress has been seen at the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, The Tank, and Dixon Place. 

Original photos by Isaak Berliner. 

To Be Announced!