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Madcap puppet show back by popular demand
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The Madcap puppet show inspired some children to read immediately. Jen Shuler (center) read to her nieces and nephews ,from left, Samuel, Sophia, Julia and Drew moments after watching the puppets at the Austintown library June 18.
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Neighbors | Eartha Terrell.Enthusiastic Madcap actors juggled several characters at once during the performance at the Austintown library June 18.
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Excited children were eager to meet Madcap performers Jon Kovach and Danielle Muething after the show at the Austintown library June 19.
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Neighbors | Eartha Terrell.Danielle Muething was full of comedic antics as she portrayed the Crazy Lady from the story Rumpelstiltskin during the Madcap performance at the Austintown library June 18.
By EARTHA TERRELL
The Madcap puppet show brought the tale of Rumplestillskin to life for young children at the Austintown library June 18.
“This is our annual summer vacation program that starts in the summer to help kids stay interested in reading when school is out. Madcap is our kick-off program this year. We brought them back by popular demand,” said Director of Communication Services Janet Loew.
The Madcap performers, Jon Kovach and Danielle Mueling, dressed in colorful costumes and made sure they provided a wealth of entertainment for their audience. From parents to children everyone got involved. They even brought two audience members from the crowd to participate with them in the show. Leeann Vitelli, whose son, Nathan, was chosen to play a king in the play was just as excited about the play as her son.
“I think the Madcap puppets are amazing. They put on a show that parents and kids can enjoy,” Vitelli said.
The Madcap puppets not only entertained children, but also made reading resonate with them, and made them more enthused about coming into the library.
“Madcap ties in a play about a book and we hope kids will be interested in books. It’s important for children to read at a young age,” Loew said. The performance also gave children exposure to a different form of storytelling they some may have never experienced before.
“I’ve always thought that theater was an important for children’s education,” Muething said.