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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — This summer, Dottie’s Coffee Lounge in Pittsfield will host a series of enchanting, free marionette shows presented by the renowned Robbins-Zust Marionettes. Every Friday at 11:00 AM in July and August, these performances will take place on the side patio at 444 North Street, with indoor arrangements in case of inclement weather.
Celebrating 53 Years of Magic
Celebrating 53 years of captivating audiences, the Robbins-Zust Family Marionettes return for a special limited engagement. Founded in 1971 by Genie Zust and her late husband, Richard Robbins, the marionette troupe has been a cherished fixture in the Berkshires. Following the couple’s move from New York City, they began crafting and performing with wooden and plaster puppets, bringing beloved fairy tales to life. Their son, Dion, continues to uphold the family tradition.
The Robbins-Zust Marionettes have performed their classic tales with hand-crafted puppets and live music for thousands of children at venues like the Dorset Playhouse, Gramercy Arts Theatre, Boston Children’s Museum, and the Berkshire Theatre Festival. Their shows have also graced fairs, schools, libraries, birthday parties, and many other locations.
Handcrafted Puppets and Timeless Stories
Richard Robbins meticulously carved many of the marionettes from wood, a skill he refined using a book from the Berkshire Athenaeum. The heads were cast in plaster molds by both Robbins and Zust, who also created the costumes and authored the scripts for their performances.
Summer 2024 Performance Schedule
This summer’s schedule includes a diverse array of classic tales and musical stories:
- 7/5: Jack and the Beanstalk
- 7/12: Rumpelstiltskin
- 7/19: Three Little Pigs
- 7/26: Stravinsky’s Firebird, set to Stravinsky’s original recording, narrated by Genie Robbins-Zust
- 8/2: The Carnival of Animals, accompanied by the music of Camille Saint-Saëns
- 8/9: Little Red Riding Hood
- 8/16: Sleeping Beauty
- 8/23: Beauty and the Beast
- 8/30: Peter and the Wolf, featuring the music of Sergei Prokofiev, composed in 1936
Join the Fun at Dottie’s Coffee Lounge
These performances offer a delightful opportunity for families to experience the timeless art of marionette theater, enjoying stories brought to life by the skilled Robbins-Zust family.
For more information, visit Dottie’s Coffee Lounge at 444 North Street, Pittsfield, or check their website. You can find the Robbins-Zust Marionettes on Facebook.
