Ronnie Burkett is Canada’s premiere puppeteer who has received the Order of Canada for his artistry and originality in the art of puppetry. Ronnie will premiere a brand new production entitled WONDERFUL JOE in 2024 with a Canadian engagement at Theatre Network in Edmonton AB in April 2024 followed by the American Premiere at Stanford Live in Stanford CA and performances at UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance in May 2024.
“Wonderful Joe is, true to its name, wonderful. It’s pure magic from a veteran puppeteer bringing to life some fantastical characters to tell an important story. “ Justin Bell, Edmonton Journal (April 5 , 2024)
Joe and his dog Mister lose their home, and facing separation, head into the world for one last grand adventure together. The world seems broken, but Joe sees magic in the mundane, beauty amidst brutality, and life in the lost and lonely. He and Mister encounter Mother Nature, Santa Claus, Jesus and the Tooth Fairy, witness a troupe of homeless players in a cardboard theatre, and show a disenfranchised teen how to jump over the moon in a playground rocket ship. A seemingly simple tale of a simple man, WONDERFUL JOE is a love letter to imagination, hope, and the art of filling broken hearts with gold.
Ronnie Burkett brings this story to life with his signature style of beautiful puppetry and solo performance, with a glorious score and soundscape by John Alcorn.
WONDERFUL JOE was created with the support of The Explore and Create Programme of the Canada Council for the Arts
Co-commissioned by Stanford Live (Stanford CA, USA), UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance (Los Angeles CA, USA and TO Live (Toronto ON, Canada) With developmental support from Theatre Network (Edmonton AB, Canada) In collaboration with Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes (Toronto ON Canada)