PUTNEY – On December 15th at 4pm and 7:30pm and 16th at 3pm Sandglass Theater brings you the mystique and low-tech charm of pairing song and story with rolling pictures. The roster of artists at this year’s annual Crankie Weeekend includes both old and new friends: Eric and Ines Zeller Bass, Anna Patton, Julie Vallimont, Meredith Holch, Brendan Taaffe, Donald Saaf and Matt Sharff.
This dynamic collection of artists will share their work, poetry, song, and magical cranking devices in the celebration of the storytelling medium, which has recently become so popular across New England.
With the serenade of ballads, stories, comic songs and originally composed music, the artists will present an assortment of beautifully handcrafted crankies for your delight and entertainment. Crankies are scrolling illustrations, wound inside a wooden box and then hand-cranked so that the images move across a viewing screen. Once called “moving panoramas”, crankies were as close as it got to films in the early 19th century. Recently crankies have made a fresh and invigorated appearance throughout the nation, appearing in circuses, music events and yes…puppet theaters.
Keep warm and get cozy for the performances in the intimate setting of Sandglass’ renovated barn theater. Reservations are strongly recommended, as seating is limited. Tickets are $18 general, $16 for students/seniors, and $25 for a special supporters. Please reserve your tickets at info@sandglasstheater.org or by calling 802 387-4051. Sandglass is an accessible venue right in the heart of Putney off I-91, exit 4.
