German School hosts world-renowned puppeteer

HOLMDEL - On Jan. 27, from 2 to 3 p.m., the German School of Monmouth County presents the only New Jersey performance ofDerKiepenkasper, a traditional German puppet theater.

Performances of "The Three Magic Feathers" and "The Trip to Pirate Island," will be presented by world-renowned puppeteer Uwe Spillman. Spillman's 2008 world tour, which begins in NorthAmerica, continues at schools and enrichment programs in Great Britain, Turkey, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as in his native Germany.

A coffee and cake reception with Spillman and his puppets will follow the afternoon performance. Limited seats are availablewith individual tickets for the performance and refreshments are $9 or a family of four or more is $30. RSVP to info@germanschoolmc.org. or call (888) 368- 5300.

"When we heard through the German cultural organization Goethe Institute in New York City that Mr. Spillman would be available for performances, we immediately invited him to share his puppets with us. Because Kaspertheaters are designed for children and the stories are very easy to follow, the entire community iswelcome to join us for this form of theater beloved by German and Austrian children alike," says Doro Drew, president of GSMC.

In Spillman's theater, the children participate by waking up the puppets from their wicker basket (Kiepenkaste) to start the show. He sounds the start of the story with his small wooden clarinet. In "The Three Feathers," Kasper needs the children to help him "undo" the magic tricks he learned from a witch. In "Trip to Pirate Island," he outwits a silly pirate who steals his gong. Throughout the shows the children learn some German words, a moral lesson and above all, have fun.

Spillman notes that in his experience, all children, even those without any German knowledge, understand the plays and participate as the stories unfold.

Formed in early 2007, German School of Monmouth County is a nonprofit language and culture enrichment programwith small group classes, modern teaching methodologies and free cultural events from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland to foster the love of language, learning and Germanic heritage of central New Jersey residents.

For more information, visit the school's Web site at www.germanschoolmc.org.