Denver Puppet Theater

This excellent theater offers many strange and delightful pleasures. Out front, there's an ice cream/coffee/soda shop, with homemade cookies and treats. And sandwiches and soups, coffees and teas, wine and beer. And cakes, for the occasional birthday party! Inside, the puppet theater is surrounded by a kind of puppet museum, showcasing marionettes and puppets from cultures all over the world. This collection of over a hundred puppets is quite splendid, and it is more than worth the admission price. The puppets on display are interesting and bizarre, graceful and odd, funny and scary. Notes and programs relate details and information about these creations - where they came from, how they were used, what stories they tell. The exhibits offer a unique lens on both multicultural awareness and artistic achievement. And the plays? They are exceptionally well done. The performances are humorous, suspenseful, and of course entertaining. As with the puppets, the sheer creativity of the performance leaves the strongest impression. The effect is charming, even magical. Annie Zook, the owner and sole puppeteer, cycles through six shows each year always including a holiday show as well as a show centered around southwestern or Mexican culture. She performs about 400 shows annually; they are primarily aimed at children ages 7, 8, and 9 but enjoyed by younger and older audience members, too. Annie has been puppeteering for about twenty years. This is apparently the only puppet theater between Kansas City and Phoenix. There have been laudatory reviews of this business over the years. One enjoyable read is “Enchanting Puppetry” by Dana Padilla in 303 Magazine August 15, 2012. Westword gave the theater an award for “The Best Kids’ Birthday Parties.” One more thing: there's a beautiful courtyard out back, offering a different kind of magic. The setting is lovely and serene. Get a snack or a meal from the cafe and sit among the flowers and fountains as twilight falls. You'll find yourself enchanted, indeed.

We came here with a kindergarten field trip. The venue was the perfect size for about 90 kids and 16 adults. The show was creative, well executed and funny. It kept the kids engaged. Afterwards they got to make puppets, play with marionettes and hand puppets in various small stages, and have lunch in the courtyard. Lots of historical puppets on display and an overall great venue!

Help connect children back to their imaginations and a better time! The cafe is lovely. Great coffee and food. The gentleman working there is the husband of the puppeteer. What a great team. I encourage you to support this place. Such a kind environment.

Visited this place while chaperoning my kids field trip. Kids loved the show and loved the ability to put on their own plays afterwards. The owner was friendly and kept the kids attention the entire time. After the play lunch was held in their courtyard area which was really nice too. Awesome little place!

We went to a birthday party here. So cute! The show was tailored to the birthday kid. And the 6 year olds loved the show. The older tag-alongs also loved it at ages 9 and 10. Following the show, we had treats and then the kids made a puppet of their own to take home. There are many puppets for the kids to play with as well as mini theaters for them to put on their own show. And of course puppets for purchase in the gift shop. Great spot for an early elementary birthday party!!

This place is amazing. The coffee shop/puppet theater are owned by the nicest couple, with Annie putting on the puppet show single-handedly does the puppet show. It's a lot of fun, really great for young kids, and they often have birthday groups come in. The coffee is pretty good and the food is okay but you will always have a great conversation with Dave!

Probably one of the most underrated performing arts you can experience. We had an awesome time. Get there when they open 30 minutes before the show so you can get a chance to participate in the crafts and play with the puppets. The host was extreamly personable and you can tell she loves what she does. If you have the time, do your self a favor and see the show. If you don't have the time, try your best to make some.

A very bizarre place. I mean this in a good way. The decore is fantastic, did my daughter's birthday here and enjoyed the performance. The best part of the place is their vintage marionette collection. Some very interesting and strange marionettes on display. Worth the trip.

The Best Puppet Theater in Denver. You enter for $7 get to draw on your puppet and view a selection of different puppets and stages for viewing. The courtyard is beautiful, and kids are participants in the show. I went and saw the Princess and the Frog. I was impressed with the stage and show which is typically 45 minutes to an Hour long. A hidden jewel for kids in Denver. Great for birthdays too! A coffee shop is also available for big kids next door.

Came for a kindergarten field trip. It was great.