Celebrating 25 years - Center for Puppetry Arts

String Fling 2003 &
The 25th Anniversary Dinner
Elizabeth H. Newton and
Deirdre C. Stiles with
the Rooand Tigger puppets
from Winnie-the-Pooh
The 25th Anniversary Dinner
On Friday, September 26, 2003, the Center for Puppetry Arts was honored at The 25th Anniversary Dinner, a
sparkling evening of cocktails, dinner and silent auction.
The 280 guests – the most to ever attend the event to date – were treated to an entertaining program in the
Mainstage Theater. First, the fabulous Madame, Hollywood Squares’ bawdiest star, made a rare public appearance.
Then, Jon Ludwig, associate artistic director, and Bobby Box, associate producer, presented Looking Back, Looking
Forward, a retrospective on the Center’s history.
They were interrupted by Kermit the Frog, who stopped by to congratulate the Center. Kermit, who cut the
ribbon to open the Center 25 years ago, claimed his agelessness was due to “soaking in pond scum.”
John Chandler, chairman of the board, and Vincent Anthony, executive director, honored Barbara Wylly, outgoing
chairman of the Board, for her tireless work on behalf of the Center, and presented her with a Fräbel sculpture.
Then, the Center Board and staff surprised Vince with a fabulous, one-of-a-kind Pinocchio, based on a
marionette created and performed by the Vagabond Marionettes (Vince’s troupe before he founded the Center).
The plaque reads: “To Vince/Honoring With Joy/The First 25 Years.” The figure, made entirely in silver by jeweler
Eddie Knox, is on display in the Center’s lobby.
Finally, acclaimed puppeteer Phillip Huber of Being John Malkovich movie fame performed his finest marionette
vignettes, a cabaret concert of sophisticated puppetry.
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