The Center for Puppetry Arts will present the world premiere of “The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales,” a high-energy stage adaptation of Jon Scieszka’s 1992 picture book, illustrated by Lane Smith. A favorite among millennial and Gen X readers, the irreverent classic reimagines traditional fairy tales through mashups and parodies.
Opening spring break, the production runs April 7-May 17, capturing the book’s absurdist spirit through inventive design, dynamic sets, rapid-fire humor and more than 20 handcrafted
puppets. To celebrate Opening Saturday on April 11, the Center will feature an on-site activation from the Children’s Museum of Atlanta.
“The Stinky Cheese Man introduced a level of irreverence that simply hadn’t been aimed at young audiences before,” said Artistic Director Jason Hines. “That sense of mischief and
surprise is exactly what puppetry does best. It lets us be anarchic on stage and invite the audience in on the joke.”
From Page to Stage: Building a World that Refuses to Behave
Behind the scenes, more than 20 characters, including The Stinky Cheese Man (a twist on the Gingerbread Man), The Other Frog Prince, The Hare and other fairy tale caricatures, were
brought to life over three months, each requiring unique mechanics and materials. The production uses a fast-changing mix of rod, glove, shadow, string and hybrid puppets to reflect
the book’s playful, chaotic structure.
“Our team relied on tools like 3D modeling and printing along with traditional puppet-making techniques to create everything from mouth mechanisms to frog teeth,” said Sam Carter,
puppetry foreman. “It’s been a real crash course in puppet making.”
The production’s scenic design plays a central role in the narrative, creating a storybook-inspired world defined by layered textures, bold patterns and collage-like elements that reflectthe show’s playful tone.
A Love Letter to the ’90s
The production celebrates the resurgence of 1990s culture. For audiences who discovered the book at the Scholastic Book Fair, it offers a nostalgic return to a story that helped redefine what children’s literature could be and shaped into the fractured fairy tale genre. For new audiences, it introduces a surreal world where nothing goes quite as planned.
At its core, “The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales” is a celebration of creative rebellion, questioning expectations, and finding humor in the unexpected.
For performance dates, tickets, and additional information, visit puppet.org.
April 26, 2026
1:00 PM | 3:00 PM
Guests with sensory sensitivities or developmental differences are invited to enjoy a fun, comfortable, and welcoming experience at the Center for Puppetry Arts.
Tickets Include Create-a-Puppet™ Workshop
Your All-Inclusive Performance ticket includes the show, admission to the Worlds of Puppetry Museum, and a Create-A-Puppet™ Workshop. The puppet is based on the style of puppetry or character used in the production.
Visitors can create a rod puppet, inspired by the character from The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales.
Join Us for Puppet Camp!
Select Weeks June 1-July 31
Camps Available for Ages K-12
Put a little whimsy into your summer at the Center for Puppetry Arts Puppet Camp, where young creators of all kinds bring their imaginations to life. In one- or two-week sessions, campers build confidence through hands-on fun featuring puppet parties, parades, and performances while celebrating creativity at every turn.
Visit the website for Puppet Camp!
About the Center for Puppetry Arts
Founded in 1978, the Center for Puppetry Arts is the nation’s largest nonprofit devoted exclusively to puppetry. The Atlanta-based center offers live performances, interactive workshops, and houses the world-renowned Jim Henson Collection, the Global Collection, and rotating special exhibitions. Home to the largest collection of Henson artifacts and more than 4,000 puppets from around the world, the center inspires learners of all ages through creativity and storytelling.
