John McDonough’s Pumpernickel Puppets

Toy Cupboard Theatre. That was the name of the puppet show John McDonough’s mother took him to in Lancaster, Massachusetts, when he was a small boy of four or five. But that show changed his life.
“It just sparked something. I decided then I was going to be a puppeteer and never really looked back,” he says. McDonough started putting on shows when he was about 12, actually doing a paid gig for a birthday party. He and his puppets were such a hit that word spread, and soon McDonough was hired by a church, and so on. The self-taught puppeteer would pick up techniques by watching others perform.
Nowadays, the puppeteer puts on 250 shows a year throughout New England.
For nearly forty years, McDonough’s “Pumpernickel Puppets” have captivated audiences of all ages with humorous and colorful adaptations of classic folk and fairy tales, and they’ve appeared in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, GA and even New York City.
For each production, John designs and creates all of his own puppets, from small hand puppets to larger than life size figures. He also manipulates the entire cast and provides the voices and sound effects.
The creativity of the profession keeps McDonough interested.
“Just the creativity I enjoy. In puppetry, there are so many aspects to it. You get to act, you get to write, you get to design. It encompasses different skills. I’ve always loved performing, and making puppets as well. The only drawback is the travel.”
Do you want to try your hand at puppetry? McDonough has some advice.
“So many children have asked me. The library is always a good place to start,” he says. “Just start by reading puppet books and watching other puppeteers.”
Pumpernickel Puppets will perform at St. Mary’s Hall during the Holliston Holiday Stroll from 12-1 p.m. Visit http://www.pumpernickelpuppets.com for more information on John McDonough and his puppets.