A truck unfolds into a marionette stage at the foot of the Whitestone Bridge, and for an hour a hand-carved robot Pinocchio sings his way around New York City landmarks in songs written and orchestrated by Daryl Kojak. The puppets come from Kevin White, the builder behind the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, so this is real puppetry rather than a kids' warm-up act. If you have small children and a Saturday morning in Queens, take this one.
What to expect
The PuppetMobile opens into a proscenium stage in the park and families sit on the grass in front of it. The show runs about an hour, with hand-made marionettes, original songs performed by the puppets, and a plot that hops between recognizable New York settings. Kids drift toward the front; nobody minds.
Good to know
- Francis Lewis Park sits on the East River at 3rd Avenue in Whitestone, right under the Whitestone Bridge; the Q15 and Q76 buses get you closest.
- Seating is on the lawn — bring a blanket or a low folding chair.
- Free and untricketed, so just turn up; there is no registration line to join.
- Best for roughly ages 3 to 10, though the puppetry holds adult attention too.
- Shade is patchy near the water, so pack sunscreen, hats and water for a late-morning show.
- Restrooms and playground are in the park, which makes it an easy stop to build a morning around.
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Common questions
Is it really free?
Yes. City Parks Foundation lists the PuppetMobile performance as free and open to all ages, with no tickets.
What happens if it rains?
The show is outdoors and weather-dependent. Check City Parks Foundation's event page the morning of before you head to Whitestone.
Are the puppets hand-made?
Yes — the marionettes were built by Kevin White, the puppet builder for the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre in Central Park.
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