REVIEW & DISCOUNTS: The Adventures of Mighty Bug at the Center for Puppetry Arts

I had the pleasure of being invited along with my family to see "The Adventures of Mighty Bug" at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta last Sat, February 2nd, 2013. I have been to the Center for Puppetry Arts numerous times to see various puppet shows, but each time I am still amazed and surprised at the skill and presentation that such a small cast delivers. This time was no exception. With just a cast of 5, we were introduced to a plethora of (bug) characters.  

This puppetry production is set in Bugville, a jumpin' little insect community. Watching over the ants, fleas, crickets, water spiders, beetles and bees is the one and only Mighty Bug, a superhero with super strength, smelling, hearing and flying abilities. But Mighty Bug isn’t the only arthropod with an eye on Bugville. The evil arachnid Scorpiana has assembled a group to attack Bugville. Can Mighty Bug defeat the evil Scorpiana and save Bugville? You'll find out in this science-filled comic book style adventure.

"The Adventures of Mighty Bugs" had in addition to their puppets (shadow and rod) and projection images (digital and overhead), live costumed characters interacting with the puppets. I had never seen that before, and it was quite unexpected. Mighty Bug, Scorpiana and Morpha are all considered body puppets, as the puppeteers wear costumes and masks to portray these characters. At first I did not realize they were "puppeteers". I thought they were professional actors as they were very skilled, and whose intonations and body movements fully captured the characters. 

The puppeteers intermingled educational facts withjokes that appealed to kids and adults alike. There was also enough drama to keep you excited, but not scared. The show was a lot of fun that the whole family enjoyed as well as the packed house.

After the show, the puppeteers come out to explain how they did everything; how the puppets worked, in relation to the shadows and projections. It was quite inspiring and made you want to run out and become a puppeteer. It was quite serendipitous that there is a workshop after the performance where you can create your own puppet. In this case, it was a firefly, that glowed under black-light. My daughter had a lot of fun making the puppet, decorating it, and playing under the black-light area. 

I would highly recommend this show, especially for your school-aged children.

Know before you go:

• The Center for Puppetry Arts is located at 1404 Spring St. NW at 18th St., Atlanta.

• The Adventures of Mighty Bug Showtimes: Jan 31 - Mar 17, 2013; •Tues-Fri: 10am & 11:30am, •Sat: 12pm & 2pm, •Sun: 1pm & 3pm  

• Tickets are regularly $16.50 each for nonmembers and $9.25 each for members (check below for discount offers)

• FREE admission to CPA's interactive puppetry museum, with each paid ticket admission.

• FREE parking

• No photos are allowed in the museum or during the show performance, but you are allowed to take pictures in the puppet workshop.

• No food or drinks are allowed in the theatre.

• There is Gift Shop opposite the ticket booth.

Discount Offers:

PoshDealz: $8.25 buys one ticket to The Adventures of Mighty Bug at The Center for Puppetry Arts, while they last.

Atlanta Entertainment book: BOGO all-inclusive ticket on page E53 of the 2013 edition. The online edition of the Entertainment book includes bonus BOGO coupons (valid for 14 days once you hit print); You can access the online coupons as soon as you order the book.

And you can use code “WSB” to BOGO free to Sundayperformances of The Adventures of Might Bug at The Center for Puppetry Arts.


Free Museum Admission:

• From 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. on Thursdays, it’s free to tour the museum.

• Saturday, March 2, 2013: Fulton County Free Museum Day; admission to the museum is free for Fulton County residents, government employees & students. You can see the show while you’re there and save 25% off each ticket.

• Citizens with valid library cards can check out the Center's new "Passport to Puppetry" at any participating public library in all 159 Georgia counties. The "Passport to Puppetry" is valid for up to four free museum admissions — a potential savings of up to $33 per family.

• Visit Atlanta Center for Puppetry Arts on the web!
• Like Atlanta Center for Puppetry Arts on facebook!
• Follow Atlanta Center for Puppetry Arts on twitter!

My name is Angie Appoo, and I am a publisher of a local family-friendly e-newsletter, Macaroni Kid Snellville.  We offer Reviews, Discounts, and Giveaways as well as list Family-Friendly events in the local area. Check it out, you won't be disappointed! Visit Macaroni Kid Snellville today!

*I received complimentary tickets to attend the show, but all opinions are my own