Hardwick VT: Modern Times Theater has the perfect antidote to the end of winter doldrums. It’s the Saturday Storefront Puppet Show Series, a trilogy of family-friendly events in downtown Hardwick.

Each show features live music, a pie raffle, a pre-show gramophone dance party, popcorn, cider, and, of course, the most spectacular puppet show this side of the Mississippi River. It’s Saturday morning cartoons, LIVE, right in the heart of the town that entertainment saved.

Modern Times Theater is Rose Friedman and Justin Lander. They are producers of Vermont Vaudeville, and have been performing puppet shows together since 2008.

Lander, who makes and puppeteers all the characters, promises suspense, “Each week is a different show, and each one ends with a cliffhanger-- you won’t want to miss anything! And, half the jokes are for the parents, so they have a good time too.” Friedman narrates the show and provides musical accompaniment. She guarantees a good time for the whole family: “There’s variety: music, puppetry, crankies, and if all else fails, there will be donuts made by the world famous Red Sky Trading Company!” At each show one lucky audience member will win a Red Sky cake in a raffle.

Performances are March 3, 10, and 17 at 2:00 pm at the Blinking Yellow Light Theater (the Gohl Building), 101 South Main Street in downtown Hardwick, Vermont. Good for all ages, admission is by suggested donation of $7, or $25 for a family of four. This production is made possible in part by the NEK grant from the Vermont Community Foundation, as well as support from NEKArts.