Great Arizona Puppet Theater
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Great Arizona Puppet Theater offers high-quality, captivating puppet shows with incredibly talented performers who manage multiple voices, making it a truly engaging experience for children. The venue also features a museum-quality lobby with historical puppets and hosts unique, interactive themed events.
Key Highlights
- ✓Shows are captivating and children are deeply engaged, often asking to return immediately.
- ✓Lobby has a museum quality, displaying a variety of puppets used in past shows.
- ✓Solo performers are 'amazing' at making many different voices quickly and effectively.
- ✓Special events (e.g., 'Cinderella's Ball') offer interactive experiences including dressing up, dancing, wand making, photo opportunities, and balloon drops.
- ✓Productions are described as 'made with care' and 'adorable'.
Standout Features
- ⭐Option to buy 'premium seats' for a better view of all puppet work.
- ⭐Museum-like lobby showcasing past puppets adds an educational and engaging pre-show experience.
- ⭐Dedicated carpeted area in the front for 'little ones' to sit comfortably for a better view.
- ⭐Ample room available for bringing in strollers.
- ⭐Large selection of puppets available for sale in the lobby.
- ⭐Outdoor picnic tables available.
- ⭐Special events offer unique, interactive activities alongside the puppet show (e.g., dancing, wand making, balloon drops).
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →**For optimal viewing:** Consider buying 'premium seats' as some puppet action happens on the floor, not just on stage.
- →**For young children:** Utilize the carpeted front seating area for 'little ones' to sit criss-cross and get a clear view.
- →**Plan for return visits:** Children are highly engaged and often want to return for future shows (e.g., 'Christmas show').
- →**Browse the lobby:** Allow time before or after the show to view the historical puppet displays and the puppets for sale.
Things to Consider
- ⚠The location is described as 'small'.
- ⚠Some puppet work occurs on the floor, not exclusively on the stage, which can affect the view from standard seats.
Price & Value
Not explicitly detailed. However, the mention of 'premium seats' suggests tiered pricing. Special events like 'Cinderella's Ball' appear to offer significant value with multiple interactive activities (dressing up, dancing, wands, photos, balloon drop) included alongside the show, indicating a premium experience.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Ample room is available for bringing in strollers.
- •Carpeted seating area in front allows 'little ones' to sit on the floor, which may be beneficial for some children.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •One special event ('Cinderella's Ball') included food ('ate'), suggesting food may be provided or allowed during specific events.
- •Picnic tables are available outside, implying outside food might be consumed there.
🚗Parking Info
- •A dedicated parking lot is available, making parking convenient.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Described as a 'small location', which might mean it feels full even with moderate crowds, but specific busy times are not mentioned.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No specific safety features were mentioned in the reviews.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Not explicitly mentioned in reviews to avoid any specific situations.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Friends of the Theater Membership
Not specified on websiteDuration: 1 year
Membership tier for immediate family.
Includes:
- •$2 off each admission
- •10% discount in the gift shop
- •1 free finger puppet
- •1 free GAPT iron-on patch
- •Free admission for children on their birthday
- •Discount on Party room rental
- •2 guest passes
- •Invitation to 'member's only' party
Puppet Pals Membership
Not specified on websiteDuration: 1 year
Membership tier for immediate family.
Includes:
- •$2 off each admission
- •10% discount in the gift shop
- •1 free finger puppet
- •1 free GAPT iron-on patch
- •Free admission for child on their birthday
- •Discount on Party room rental
- •Invitation to 'members only' party
- •5 guest passes
- •$5 off each ticket for selected special events
- •1 private backstage tour for you and your family (for show of your choice with advanced notice required / subject to availability)
Master Puppeteer Membership
Not specified on websiteDuration: 1 year
Membership tier for immediate family.
Includes:
- •$2 off each admission
- •10% discount in the gift shop
- •1 free finger puppet
- •1 free GAPT iron-on patch
- •Free admission for children on their birthday
- •Discount on Party room rental
- •8 guest passes
- •Invitation to 'members only' party
- •Your children's handprints for our permanent 'Wall of Honor'
- •$5 off each ticket for selected special events
- •Private backstage tour for you and your family (for show of your choice with advanced notice required / subject to availability)
- •Choice of: Free party at the puppet theater for up to 25 guests OR 1/2 off a private touring show for up to 80 people OR 20 extra general admission passes (must specify choice when joining)
Grand Master Puppeteer Membership
Not specified on websiteDuration: 1 year
Membership tier for immediate family.
Includes:
- •FREE admission
- •10% gift shop discount
- •1 finger puppet
- •1 GAPT iron-on patch
- •Discount on Party Room rental
- •8 guest passes
- •Invitation to members-only party
- •Your children's handprints for our permanent 'Wall of Honor'
- •$5 off selected special events
- •Private backstage tour for your family (advance notice required, subject to availability)
- •Choice of: Free party at the puppet theater for up to 25 guests OR 1/2 off private touring show for up to 80 people OR 20 extra regular admission passes (specify choice when joining)
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Jack-O-Lantern Jamboree
Upcoming Halloween season (brand new show)
Reserve here (price not specified)
A Halloween variety show of tricks and treats.
Guest Artist: Rasputin’s Marionettes with Sugarb**** Goulash
October 3 & 4, 2025 (Friday, 7:00 PM; Saturday, 7:00 PM)
Reserve here or call 602-262-2050 (price not specified)
A bold and unforgettable production blending classic puppetry with outrageous humor, surreal storytelling, and underground cabaret flair. Inspired by the true story of Helen Golay and Olga Rutterschmidt, 'Black Widow Murderers', dramatizing their unlikely friendship and notorious crimes with dark humor and a macabre twist.
Dr. Zombie's Movie Lab of Terror: The Devil Bat
October show (exact date not specified)
$15 (reservations highly recommended)
A screening of 'The Devil Bat' starring Bela Lugosi, hosted by Dr. Zombie, Dain 'The Ghoul' GORE, Zombie Dave, and VamPYRO. Includes puppet presentations and a costume contest. Focuses on education, live performance art, and independent cinema.
Halloween Horrors Puppet Slam (for adults)
Upcoming Halloween season (exact date not specified)
Reservations and prepayment are required (price not specified)
Curated evenings full of short pieces by a variety of professional puppeteers, featuring funny, scary, or edgy shows.
Guest Artist: Chorizo Puppets from San Diego with Francisca y la Muerte
Upcoming (exact date not specified)
Tickets must be purchased in advance: reserve here or call 602-262-2050 (price not specified)
Features whimsical characters and thought-provoking narratives. Can be performed in English, Spanish, or Spanglish. Includes a Celebration of Dia de los Muertos with crafts and treats 30 min. prior to and after performances.
Big Bug Circus
Upcoming (tickets on sale now)
Tickets must be purchased in advance: reserve here or call 602-262-2050 x 0 (price not specified)
An amazing circus featuring talented bugs as performers, using table-top marionettes, an exciting soundtrack, and a puppeteer as the Ring Master. Run time approximately 45 minutes.
The Dinosaur Christmas Revue
Upcoming Christmas season (tickets on sale now)
Tickets on sale now (price not specified)
A prehistoric Christmas celebration with favorite dinosaurs, featuring music and jokes for a Jurassic holiday season.
Jack and the Beanstalk
Upcoming (tickets on sale now)
Tickets must be purchased in advance: reserve here or call 602-262-2050 (price not specified)
A classic tale told with hand puppets, beautiful changing scenery, a growing beanstalk, and a very tall Giant. Study and Activity Guide available.
The Three Little Pigs
Upcoming (tickets on sale now)
Tickets are on sale now. Reserve here (price not specified)
The big bad wolf and three little pigs in a classic story told with large rod puppets and lots of fun music. Study Guide available.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Rasputin’s Marionettes with Sugarb**** Goulash is recommended for adventurous adult audiences due to mature themes.
- • Dr. Zombie's Movie Lab of Terror: The Devil Bat is an 18+ event.
- • Halloween Horrors Puppet Slam is for adults 18 and over only.
📅Booking Policy
- • Tickets must be purchased in advance for all shows.
- • Advance reservations are strongly encouraged for special events due to limited seating.
- • Reservations and prepayment are required for the Halloween Horrors Puppet Slam.
- • For Delta Dental shows, book by calling 602-262-2050 or emailing info@azpuppets.org.
What People Say
What's Great
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Jon youtube Whitcomb
in the last weekThis is a fun place to visit. Buy the premium seats so you have a better view because some of the puppet work is on the floor and not the stage.
Emily Smith
a year agoWe’ve gone to two shows so far and have loved them! I appreciate the museum quality of the lobby, being able to see the variety of puppets that have been used in the past. My son has been captivated by the shows and even before we finish clapping at the end of one show he asks when we can go see another.
Estevao Avillez
a year agoI was very surprised by this! We watched the Little Red Hen! Small location, but everything was made with care. The lady that was doing the puppet show is simply amazing. How can someone make all those voices so fast? wow!! My boys want to be back for the Christmas show.
Kate Howells
10 months agoAdorable place. Ample room to bring in strollers. It's nice they put a carpet down in the front for little ones to sit criss cross and get a better view. Tons of puppets for sale in the lobby as you enter and exit. A few picnic tables outside. Dedicated parking lot.
Mimi Allen
2 years agoOk so I took a bunch of little girls under 8 here to Cinderella's Ball. We got dressed up-danced, ate, made wands, took pics, saw the Cinderella story play out in a puppet show and there was a balloon drop at the end. Although this was for the kiddos, I had the best time, danced so much my feet hurt. Wonderful!!!!