Original Puppet Musical to Premiere at Garden Theatre

The Garden Theatre (160 W Plant St.) is proud to present an original musical Carved: A Pumpkin's Musical Adventure showing October 30 - November 1, 2015. Carved is produced by First Street Productions and Garden Theatre. The presenting sponsor is West Orange Times & Observer.

It has been 25 years since the king of Pumpkinville mysteriously disappeared. Each year, young pumpkins leave their village hoping to find him, but return empty-handed. Will things be different when a young pumpkin named Earnest is finally allowed to search? Join Earnest and a colorful cast of creatures on a quest for the truth about Pumpkinville in this not-so-scary puppet musical, appropriate for the whole family.

The story was conceived by producer John Mason III, who also composed the music and co-wrote the script with Jeffrey Peacock. Mason is no stranger to the Garden Theatre, having served as music director or pianist for shows such as The Bikinis, A Christmas Survival Guide, and The Wizard of Oz. More recently, he was music director for St. Luke's United Methodist Church's production of The Music Man. Mason's vision for the characters was brought to puppet life with illustrator Jason Zucker and the talents of puppet maker, Ryan Skiles.

Mason says Carved emphasizes an important theme: don't let fear change who you are.

"This show is all about stepping up to the plate and taking on the world," said Mason. "I hope audiences will take away a catchy melody with a warm fuzzy feeling, along with some Halloween spirit!"

Tickets are $11 for adults/seniors/students and $7 for children 12 and under. Show times are Friday at 7pm, Saturday at 11am, 12:30pm and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm and 4:30pm.

For tickets, visit gardentheatre.org or contact the Box Office at 407-877-GRDN (4736). Groups of 10 or more are eligible for discounts of up to 25% by contacting group sales manager Jana Goupil at 407-877-4736 x208.