Open Eye Figure Theatre

What a stellar place! They put on amazing shows for both adults and kids. Tonight I saw Nature Creature and they were lovely! They put on many puppet shows and even have puppet shows that go around Minneapolis-​over 100 of them! Wowzers! They offer regular admission and also pay what you can to be as inclusive as possible. It is an intimate theater and I am happy that I was able to go!

We were in from out of town just to get away. Not knowing much about what to do we decided to see a Tennesee Williams play here. It was a great production by the company and the venue was absolutely one of the best i have been to!

I’ve probably seen more of their puppet shows than anyone on the planet. During the summer they do their Driveway Tour, where they do scores of free shows in front yards, parks, libraries, and anywhere you are willing to host them (public bathroom?). My kids absolutely love The Amazing Cow Boat, Katie Tomatie in the Big City, and Little Grandpa in the Big City. Most people only hear about the shows actually happening in their neighborhood, but I scour their website for any and all shows at time and places we can make, showing up in the backyards of random people all over the city.
We’ve also been to their theater itself to see Milly and Tilly (x2), and The Learning Fairy. These shows are not for the faint of heart, they are loud, high energy performances by nutty, nutty people. A bit too loud for my middle-​aged ears, and can be too intense for 1 year-​olds sitting in the front row, but holy cow the kids go nutty for these shows. My kids play act Milly and Tilly all the time. Plus, they often have complimentary ice cream afterward.
Next summer they are going to create a new puppet show, can’t wait.

This has been one of my favorite experiences in the Twin Cities. I attended a driveway tour production of Katie Tomatie and I was blown away! Their main audience is kids of course, but «kids at heart» will enjoy it too. Detailed puppets, punny humor, trivia, and a live accordion player. It was 45 minutes of pure delight. Plus the very nice hosts at the show I attended provided popcorn, otter pops, and delicious homemade yogurt parfaits.
Bring a blanket and enjoy a show on the lawn. The perfect way to spend a summer evening!

This is a local treasure. I saw The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and it was beautiful. The set, the marionettes, and everything about the production was a work of art. Some people might assume a theater like this is meant for children, but it isn’t. Kids would certainly enjoy it, but according to a staff member I overheard at the performance, they are designing for a primarily adult audience. My advice is to get there early and sit as close to the front as possible. Since this venue is for puppets and not people, the figures are smaller.

This is the most incredible, weird, fun, neat, interesting place in the Twin Cities (or most other places I have been).
My description would only force you to imagine the mundane, so I will not even try.
Please go, see a show, and realize how right I am to not even try to describe it. I will say, however: puppets, tiny live bands, amazing sets, great stories, cool space, and nice people.

Saw a Driveway Tour show of the Amazing Cow Boat. It was amazing. So cool to do this roaming puppet theater and to being it out to front and back yards. My kids, and every kid there, loved it and it was a great neighborhood bonding event. The story was good for kids and adults, with humor, a great set and interesting puppets and props and fantastic performers. Super duper highly recommend!

I went to see a play designed by Irve Dell tonight at the Open Eye Figure Theater, and it was amazing!
The seating is small and intimate. The stage is beautiful, with arched cobble stone! It looks like a medieval castle inside. They had reasonably priced adult beverages (donation accepted…) AND…
There was also a rummage sale, where I got to purchase three antique frames for 2 dollars!
They will be hosting a Holiday pageant from Dec 3^rd to Dec 23^rd. It will take all of Santa’s eight reindeer holding me back to stop me from going.