Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

|| High Country Press Newswire

March 20, 2008 issue

Internationally Acclaimed Cashore Marionettes Perform at Hayes Center April 11

The internationally acclaimed Cashore Marionettes showcase their incredible artistry for one night only at the Hayes Performing Arts Center Friday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m.

The Cashore Marionettes, with their grace and refinement of movement, redefine the art of puppetry. Award-winning artist Joseph Cashore creates and manipulates these amazingly lifelike marionettes in the latest work called Simple Gifts, a series of touching character portrayals and scenes from everyday life set to a succession of original and classical music by Vivaldi, Strauss, Beethoven and Copland.

The original vignettes in Simple Gifts celebrate life and explore a range of emotions, from comic to tragic, with characters and actions that are uncannily convincing and engaging. The performance is recommended for adults and children ages 8 and older.

The Cashore Marionettes have astounded audiences in Europe, the Far East and across North America, with performances at such storied venues as the Kennedy Center, Annenburg Center, Kravis Center and many others.

According to the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, “A wonderful world of breathtaking magic is created by one man and his exquisite marionettes.” Theatres across the country have also raved about Simple Gifts. “Amazing…a once-in-a-lifetime event…” (Sunrise Theatre, NC). “A powerful theatrical evening” (University of Notre Dame).

Joseph Cashore has received numerous awards, including a Pew Fellowship for Performance Art, based upon his artistic accomplishment; a Henson Foundation Grant, an award intended to help promote puppetry to adult audiences; and a Citation of Excellence from the UNIMA-USA—the highest honor an American puppeteer can receive.

Tickets are $20 and $14 for students and can be purchased by calling the Hayes Center box office at 828-295-0112 or by clicking to www.brcac.org. Special group rates are available. Season and Flex Passes can be purchased and used throughout the entire 2008 season.

For more info, call the Hayes Center at 828-295-9627 or click to www.brcac.org.