miac.mercyhurst.edu: Cashore Marionettes will perform on Sept. 14 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Walker Recital Hall.

The Cashore Marionettes are known internationally for incredible talent and engineering skills. Now Mercyhurst University has the opportunity to host not only one, but two shows in the Walker Recital Hall.

The Cashore Marionettes, created by Joseph Cashore, bring enlightening themes to the stage.

Jamie Grady, the director of Mercyhurst Institute for Arts & Culture says, “Many of the pieces are whimsical and funny while others can be a bit more moving and thought provoking.”

Cashore’s interest in marionettes began at a young age. He recalls seeing a colorful pirate hanging from the ceiling in a store he was in with his parents when he was about 11 years old.

Later in life, he studied at University of Notre Dame, graduating with a bachelor in fine arts and continued to study portrait and figure painting at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.

Cashore designs, molds and paints all of his marionettes. There is great detail put into his work and the range of movement he can portray is truly amazing.

The Cashore Marionettes were brought here by Grady’s interest in the art of puppetry after working in Atlanta with the Center for Puppetry Arts. It wasn’t until he was in New York City that he saw the Cashore Marionettes and knew they would be perfect to bring to Mercyhurst.

Grady further explains that he thinks everybody who sees the show will love it. There are no spoken words but the shows bring a theme of spirit and what it means to be alive through the movement of both humans and animals.

The show is being performed on Sept. 14 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. There will be a pre-show event on Sept. 14 before the 2 p.m. show.

At the pre-show there will be face painting provided by Erie Clown College, music by WMCE, an art show and sale by local artist Heather Cash and Erie Experience Museum will be playing movement games with children.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for senior citizens, and $14 for students.

The show is appropriate for all ages and all are expected to enjoy the rare art of puppetry! For more information, contact the MIAC Box Office at (814) 824-3000.