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PUPPET SÉANCE with Stoph & Ant Makes May Merry
April 26, 2025
PUPPETS, SPIRITS, & LAUGHS, OH MY!
A SPECIAL EVENT AT LOST NATION THEATER
World Premiere of a new show by Stoph Scheer and Anthony “Ant” Sellitto-Budney
“One thing I’ve learned to expect from Stoph Scheer onstage – is to expect the unexpected!
With glorious results!” says Kathleen Keenan, Lost Nation Theater’s Producing Artistic Director.
And who knows what to expect when Stoph Scheer (Jim Henson Co, Disney, & LNT Veteran) joins forces with Anthony “Ant” Sellitto-Budney and a profusion of puppets to create PUPPET SÉANCE: An Occult Summoning and Also A Comedy Variety Show and Also An Advice Show.
Lost Nation Theater presents the world premiere of this comic cabaret for one weekend only – Friday-Sunday, May 2-4, Montpelier City Hall Arts Center.
Yes! Stoph Scheer is back at Lost Nation Theater!
This time in her capacity as master puppeteer & comedian and with friend, fellow master puppeteer (& self-described maniac) Ant Selitto-Budney in tow! In this two-act adventure, Stoph and Ant perform a variety of routines (and signature schtick) they’ve performed on stages around the country for an unforgettable evening of puppetry, chaos, comedy and spiritualism – culminating in their unprecedented attempt to make contact with entities from the otherworld and convene with them… through Puppets!
What could possibly go wrong!
“You never quite know what’s going to happen when you let Stoph Scheer loose on stage in her own works (or when serving as emcee for benefit cabarets). But one thing you absolutely know for sure, - it’s going to be ridiculously entertaining!”
- Kim Bent, Lost Nation Theater Founding Artistic Director
As part of this never-before-seen show, Stoph and Ant will solicit questions from the audience before the show and during intermission, which folks might need advice about.
In Act 2, they’ll seek to summon spirits from the otherworld who will (we hope) possess a puppet ~ and provide the answers we seek in these troubled times!
You are cordially summoned to the summoning for laughter, connection & questioning!
(And in case you’re wondering, it’s not for kids)
“I am VERY excited to be premiering my brand new comedy, PUPPET SEANCE, at Lost Nation Theater. This is my first big creative stage project since 2018, and we'll be presenting material that I feel strongly about: comedy pieces I've honed on stages around the country, some brand new and edgy stuff, and of course the Seance itself!
We'll be opening a portal to another dimension, and I've promised Lost Nation to make a good faith effort to not lose any audience members in the process.” – Stoph Scheer
PUPPET SÉANCE features Kings and Wizards, capital punishment, Super Mario Bros and, psychedelia and spiritualism, all culminating in an attempt to contact an entity from another dimension, and lots of laughs.
“While taking photos at Lost Nation recently, I realized how full circle it is to perform my first full length show with puppets I made myself, right here at Lost Nation. Kim Bent is why I can be called a Master Puppeteer – he helped me get into my puppetry graduate masters program with a glowing letter of recommendation!” – Stoph Scheer
At LNT, Stoph & Ant’s work is further enhanced sound engineering from Andrew Vachon, lighting by SJB Lighting Design, and an otherworldly stage treatment by Kim Bent. Producing Artistic Director Kathleen Keenan adds “ on top of that, the up-close & personal nature of our theater makes for the perfect space to experience this show!”
Don’t miss the mad-cap marvelousness that is PUPPET SÉANCE!
Join Us! Friday-Sunday, May 2-4, 2025. Three Days Only!
Curtain is 7:30pm Friday & Saturday and 2pm Sunday.
Tickets range from $19-$24. (center-guaranteed seating available for extra fee)
Shows are Live In Person & Live-Streamed! Recommended for age 13 & up.
