Nov 1, 2025, 10:30am – Cardboard Kingdom at The Cherry

This hybrid workshop and show is the best of both worlds! In the first half, everyone builds their own simple puppet characters. Then our expert puppeteer, Brad Shur, leads them in a guided improvised performance using all of their characters in a totally new story! Best for kids 5+

Puppeteer, puppet builder and arts educator Brad Shur is the founder and lead artist of Paper Heart Puppets. Brad has been a guest in Ithaca with his show Cardboard Explosion!

TICKETS at lilypadpuppettheatre.org/tickets
Tickets are $12 Adult, $8 ages 3-18, < 2 free. Free for participants of the Big Brother Big Sister program. $1 for anyone with an EBT card.

https://www.lilypadpuppettheatre.org/events/kids/

Lilypad Puppet Theatre produces an annual Crankie Cabaret in the Fall, bringing together artists, puppeteers, storytellers & musicians for this fabulous weekend variety show. Live Music! Absurd theatrics! A show unlike any other!

Crankie Cabaret 2025 will be on: 

Fri Nov 14, 7:30pm

Sat Nov 15, 7:30pm

Sun Nov 16, 3pm 

Hear ye, hear ye! You are invited!

This year, you are invited to the Court of His Majesty to view the Royal Entertainments of the day. Will His Highness be amused or will this day end in disaster as many fear? Come see for yourself!  
Live music, fabulous art, and absurd theatrics from Lilypad Puppet Theatre. This show is intended for an adult audience, with stories, puppets, music and more!

TICKETS HERE!

***Buy your ticket as a Supporter*** and get a chance to win a free one night stay at the fabulous Argos Inn!  Argos Inn is a beautifully restored, LEED certified, historic mansion in downtown Ithaca.  It houses thirteen boutique hotel rooms and two unique craft cocktails bars.  (Note: The one night stay is for Sunday – Thursday nights only.) Valued at $200+ The Argos Inn offers a touch of the exotic, that magical feeling of being in a far off place with all the comforts of home.

“A delightful, interesting, entertaining and life affirming performance. Loved every minute of it.” – Hilby the German Juggling Boy on the Crankie Cabaret.

2025 PERFORMERS (FOR BIOS CLICK HERE):

A Very Feral Christmas by Julie Glanville

When the Christmas Spirit comes knocking … open the door and let it in. Even if it’s not quite what you expected.

Heaven on Earth by izaq charp and Marina Gershon.

The world, oh the world, is all going to hell.
The news is quite rotten and so is the smell.
In the streets, in the air, it stinks like dead rat.
It reeks like a barrel of old bacon fat.
But as bad as it seems, this malodorous haze,
for some that foul funk smells like five-star buffets.
So let us attempt, let’s just give it a try, 
to see this vile world through the eyes of a fly…

Mall of Death by Mike Chen

What happens when the Dark Lord of Darkmood Castle is driven from his home by selfie-taking tourists? He moves into the local half-empty mall and falls in love, what else?

Unrequited Love: A Vietnamese Folk Tale by Anne Miller

A young girl is sick, when she hears the beautiful singing of a fisherman on the river outside her window. Anne Miller heard this story from her favorite English teacher, Philip Bailey. It inspired her; she has worked on it here and there until now.

The Knight and the Dragon by Julian Plum & Maddox Ziomek

A knight and a dragon, locked in endless battle, must decide if there’s more to life than Tradition, Glory, and Honor.

Vibing Heavy by SingTrece & Sir Kenneth McLaurin

“Vibing Heavy” is a visual love poem, a journey from self-discovery to a shared life. It tells the story of two souls who find each other through laughter and honesty and learning that love doesn’t complete them. It frees them. Together, they discover peace, joy, and the beauty of simply being seen, known, and loved.

“A delightful, interesting, entertaining and life affirming performance. Loved every minute of it.” – Hilby the German Juggle Boy

Tickets at lilypadpuppettheatre.org/tickets
Buy your ticket as a Supporter for $30 and get a chance to win a free one night stay at the fabulous Argos Inn. Argos Inn is a beautifully restored, LEED certified, historic mansion in downtown Ithaca. It houses thirteen boutique hotel rooms and two unique craft cocktails bars. (Note: The one night stay is for Sunday – Thursday nights only.) Valued at $200+ The Argos inn offers a touch of the exotic, that magical feeling of being in a far off place with all the comforts of home
More info, videos, photos at www.lilypadpuppettheatre.org/events/crankiecabaret

Lilypad Puppet Theatre produces an annual Crankie Cabaret in the Fall, bringing together artists, puppeteers, storytellers & musicians for this fabulous weekend variety show. Live Music! Absurd theatrics! A show unlike any other!

Crankie Cabaret 2025 will be on: 

Fri Nov 14, 7:30pm

Sat Nov 15, 7:30pm

Sun Nov 16, 3pm 

Hear ye, hear ye! You are invited!

This year, you are invited to the Court of His Majesty to view the Royal Entertainments of the day. Will His Highness be amused or will this day end in disaster as many fear? Come see for yourself!  
Live music, fabulous art, and absurd theatrics from Lilypad Puppet Theatre. This show is intended for an adult audience, with stories, puppets, music and more!

TICKETS HERE!

***Buy your ticket as a Supporter*** and get a chance to win a free one night stay at the fabulous Argos Inn!  Argos Inn is a beautifully restored, LEED certified, historic mansion in downtown Ithaca.  It houses thirteen boutique hotel rooms and two unique craft cocktails bars.  (Note: The one night stay is for Sunday – Thursday nights only.) Valued at $200+ The Argos Inn offers a touch of the exotic, that magical feeling of being in a far off place with all the comforts of home.

“A delightful, interesting, entertaining and life affirming performance. Loved every minute of it.” – Hilby the German Juggling Boy on the Crankie Cabaret.

2025 PERFORMERS (FOR BIOS CLICK HERE):

A Very Feral Christmas by Julie Glanville

When the Christmas Spirit comes knocking … open the door and let it in. Even if it’s not quite what you expected.

Heaven on Earth by izaq charp and Marina Gershon.

The world, oh the world, is all going to hell.
The news is quite rotten and so is the smell.
In the streets, in the air, it stinks like dead rat.
It reeks like a barrel of old bacon fat.
But as bad as it seems, this malodorous haze,
for some that foul funk smells like five-star buffets.
So let us attempt, let’s just give it a try, 
to see this vile world through the eyes of a fly…

Mall of Death by Mike Chen

What happens when the Dark Lord of Darkmood Castle is driven from his home by selfie-taking tourists? He moves into the local half-empty mall and falls in love, what else?

Unrequited Love: A Vietnamese Folk Tale by Anne Miller

A young girl is sick, when she hears the beautiful singing of a fisherman on the river outside her window. Anne Miller heard this story from her favorite English teacher, Philip Bailey. It inspired her; she has worked on it here and there until now.

The Knight and the Dragon by Julian Plum & Maddox Ziomek

A knight and a dragon, locked in endless battle, must decide if there’s more to life than Tradition, Glory, and Honor.

Vibing Heavy by SingTrece & Sir Kenneth McLaurin

“Vibing Heavy” is a visual love poem, a journey from self-discovery to a shared life. It tells the story of two souls who find each other through laughter and honesty and learning that love doesn’t complete them. It frees them. Together, they discover peace, joy, and the beauty of simply being seen, known, and loved.

“A delightful, interesting, entertaining and life affirming performance. Loved every minute of it.” – Hilby the German Juggle Boy

Tickets at lilypadpuppettheatre.org/tickets
Buy your ticket as a Supporter for $30 and get a chance to win a free one night stay at the fabulous Argos Inn. Argos Inn is a beautifully restored, LEED certified, historic mansion in downtown Ithaca. It houses thirteen boutique hotel rooms and two unique craft cocktails bars. (Note: The one night stay is for Sunday – Thursday nights only.) Valued at $200+ The Argos inn offers a touch of the exotic, that magical feeling of being in a far off place with all the comforts of home
More info, videos, photos at www.lilypadpuppettheatre.org/events/crankiecabaret

Lilypad Puppet Theatre produces an annual Crankie Cabaret in the Fall, bringing together artists, puppeteers, storytellers & musicians for this fabulous weekend variety show. Live Music! Absurd theatrics! A show unlike any other!

Crankie Cabaret 2025 will be on: 

Fri Nov 14, 7:30pm

Sat Nov 15, 7:30pm

Sun Nov 16, 3pm 

Hear ye, hear ye! You are invited!

This year, you are invited to the Court of His Majesty to view the Royal Entertainments of the day. Will His Highness be amused or will this day end in disaster as many fear? Come see for yourself!  
Live music, fabulous art, and absurd theatrics from Lilypad Puppet Theatre. This show is intended for an adult audience, with stories, puppets, music and more!

TICKETS HERE!

***Buy your ticket as a Supporter*** and get a chance to win a free one night stay at the fabulous Argos Inn!  Argos Inn is a beautifully restored, LEED certified, historic mansion in downtown Ithaca.  It houses thirteen boutique hotel rooms and two unique craft cocktails bars.  (Note: The one night stay is for Sunday – Thursday nights only.) Valued at $200+ The Argos Inn offers a touch of the exotic, that magical feeling of being in a far off place with all the comforts of home.

“A delightful, interesting, entertaining and life affirming performance. Loved every minute of it.” – Hilby the German Juggling Boy on the Crankie Cabaret.

2025 PERFORMERS (FOR BIOS CLICK HERE):

A Very Feral Christmas by Julie Glanville

When the Christmas Spirit comes knocking … open the door and let it in. Even if it’s not quite what you expected.

Heaven on Earth by izaq charp and Marina Gershon.

The world, oh the world, is all going to hell.
The news is quite rotten and so is the smell.
In the streets, in the air, it stinks like dead rat.
It reeks like a barrel of old bacon fat.
But as bad as it seems, this malodorous haze,
for some that foul funk smells like five-star buffets.
So let us attempt, let’s just give it a try, 
to see this vile world through the eyes of a fly…

Mall of Death by Mike Chen

What happens when the Dark Lord of Darkmood Castle is driven from his home by selfie-taking tourists? He moves into the local half-empty mall and falls in love, what else?

Unrequited Love: A Vietnamese Folk Tale by Anne Miller

A young girl is sick, when she hears the beautiful singing of a fisherman on the river outside her window. Anne Miller heard this story from her favorite English teacher, Philip Bailey. It inspired her; she has worked on it here and there until now.

The Knight and the Dragon by Julian Plum & Maddox Ziomek

A knight and a dragon, locked in endless battle, must decide if there’s more to life than Tradition, Glory, and Honor.

Vibing Heavy by SingTrece & Sir Kenneth McLaurin

“Vibing Heavy” is a visual love poem, a journey from self-discovery to a shared life. It tells the story of two souls who find each other through laughter and honesty and learning that love doesn’t complete them. It frees them. Together, they discover peace, joy, and the beauty of simply being seen, known, and loved.

“A delightful, interesting, entertaining and life affirming performance. Loved every minute of it.” – Hilby the German Juggle Boy

Tickets at lilypadpuppettheatre.org/tickets
Buy your ticket as a Supporter for $30 and get a chance to win a free one night stay at the fabulous Argos Inn. Argos Inn is a beautifully restored, LEED certified, historic mansion in downtown Ithaca. It houses thirteen boutique hotel rooms and two unique craft cocktails bars. (Note: The one night stay is for Sunday – Thursday nights only.) Valued at $200+ The Argos inn offers a touch of the exotic, that magical feeling of being in a far off place with all the comforts of home
More info, videos, photos at www.lilypadpuppettheatre.org/events/crankiecabaret