The Puppetry Guild of Pittsburgh held an action-packed annual slam event on August 17th. The event, at Spring Hill’s WBU Event Venue, began with a picnic on the lawn featuring puppets from Cheryl Capezzuti’s Giant Puppet Dance Club. The crowd then moved inside for a lineup of shows including Giant Puppet Dance Club (Kid Edition), Goodbye Blue Sky by Becky Spevak and Tim College, two scenes from Penelope’s Dragon by Darlene Thompson and company, Popcorn Popcorn Hey Hey Hey by Dave English and The Alligator is My Friend by Suzanne Werder to round out the first act. Various antics by emcees Tom Sarver and Dave English filled out the show including puppet ball toss, a blindfolded puppet hunt and puppet sketching activities.

A terrible storm hit during the first act, but the show went on. The second act featured You Are Here by Cheryl Capezzuti, Hippies in Space by Kirsten Ervin and Will Simmons, A Family Friendly Song About a Bad Word by Suzanne Werder, The Farmers and The Bugs by Sarver Express and Cheryl Capezzuti’s Giant Puppet Dance Club.

The show was well attended. A family-friendly focus with lots of audience interaction made for one of the most successful Puppetry Guild events yet.

Audience interaction during Suzanne Werder’s show.

A bake sale by Cassidy raised funds for the Puppetry Guild.

Giant Puppet Dance Club.

Tom and Kristen Sarver perform The Farmers and The Bugs.

Goodbye Blue Sky by Becky Spevak and Tim College.

You Are Here by Cheryl Capezzuti.

Puppets for sale by Darlene Thompson.

Suzanne Werder

Tom Sarver leads a game of Puppet Sketch

Hippies in Space by Kirsten Ervin and Will Simmons

Giant Puppet Dance Club, Kids Edition

Dave English and Company.

A talented young audience member gives an impromptu performance.

Darlene Thompson and Company.