By C.J. Hirschfield
Last week the puppet show “The
Three Wishes” opened at Children’s Fairyland. It was the first time the show –
a classic German folk tale – had been mounted here in 21 years. In our telling,
a woodcutter is rewarded with three wishes after aiding an elf. Things quickly
get out of control.
We often use the original
soundtrack of the show, using voices and music that were recorded long ago. It
may seem sad to hear that all of the voice-talent artists who recorded the show
have passed away, but to Fairyland’s master puppeteer Randal Metz, it’s a
comfort.
A youthful Randal was at the
recording session for “Wishes” back in the 1970s, and for most sessions after
that. Here’s the way it worked:
Adult and child cast members
would meet in Fairyland master puppeteer Lewis Mahlmann’s stately, historic
Oakland apartment for a homemade dinner. Everyone would have received their
scripts beforehand, and Lewis or Randal would direct. All would do a read-through
together, and then take suggestions and talk about emphasis. The show would be
recorded, all would listen and then try again. There would be much laughter and,
after the kids left, some drinking.
 |
| Left to right: master puppeteer Randal Metz, David Jones, and Liesel and Brian Weimer record the puppet show soundtrack for "Brer Rabbit" in 1995. |
