Renowned puppeteer brings his Circus Days show to Forest View on Jan. 19
Colorful marionettes (or puppets) that sing, dance, walk the tightrope and perform on the trapeze will dazzle audience members on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 3 p.m. at the Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road in Arlington Heights.
The man behind all the magic is Dave Herzog, who has been a passionate puppeteer for 44 years.
Dave Herzog's Marionettes' high-energy show, called Circus Days, is a special version of his popular Circus production. Herzog creates all of his hand-carved marionettes and performs at various venues including the world-famous Navy Pier, where he has been entertaining audiences for 19 years. He has also performed at thousands of shows at schools, birthday parties, libraries, amusement parks and more.
When Herzog was only four years old he received a marionette from his father.
"That puppet still hangs in my office until this day," shared Herzog. "I got the toy puppet and then puppets became my favorite toys. Then, I saw a puppet show in school. I decided then and there, in second grade, that this is what I wanted to do."
Herzog said he enjoys hearing the children laughing during his productions. And although kids are huge fans of his shows, adults are also captivated by his family-oriented shows.
"With the adults, I get a look of recognition or satisfied nostalgia," said Herzog. "Puppeteering has been one of mankind's oldest art forms."
Herzog loves the variety that comes with his job. The themes of his shows include pirates, animals, holiday-themed shows and more.
"I go to work every day, but I don't go to the same place every day," he noted. "You never know what to expect."
In 1991, Herzog made his New York stage debut in Chicago's Hystopolis Productions Production all puppet version of The Adding Machine by Elmer Rice. This took place off Broadway at the Joseph Papp Public Theater at the Jim Henson International Theater Festival.
You won't want to miss this exciting January 19 show for the entire family. Tickets are $5-Gold Card/Advance, $7 at the door and $20 for a family of four. Children two years of age and under are free. For tickets, call 847-718-7700/7702 or visit https://bit.ly/2G0CCkc.