LOVELL — Can you imagine puppeteers who delight audiences of all ages with what Vernon Cox has called “a well-written biblical show with a modern Maine twist”? Peaks Island Puppets fill the bill — and will be performing at the Brick Church for the Performing Arts in Lovell on Thursday, Aug. 6.

The innovative puppetry of David Handwerker and Stephanie Eliot is directed by theater genius Julie Goell and assisted by the creative puppet-building talents of Avner Eisenberg. Together they bring to life some very interesting takes on two stories.

First will be “Solomon and Ashmedai,” based on a folktale set in the ancient Middle East.When the young Solomon is foolhardy and nearly loses his kingdom, he learns among commoners to value hard work and earns his famed wisdom. Expect some storytelling antics, a little deviltry, and a gold medallion with magical powers.

After an intermission for a change of stage set (and a chance for the audience to see the puppets), Handwerker and Eliot will present their most ambitious work to date, “The Rudder Family Holiday Planner.” Time traveling from their biblical roots, Elijah the Prophet and his sidekick, Queen Vashti, catch up with the Rudder family as they celebrate the Jewish holidays on Portland’s Munjoy Hill. Marriage, both interracial and gay, foreign adoption and goat farming are just a few of the issues retired hardware store owner Max Rudder never dreamed he would someday face. Holidays bring families closer together, and also ruffle a few feathers. The Rudders of Munjoy Hill are a family like any other, with traditional values challenged by new circumstances. The show has been called a “hilarious romp through the holiday seasons.”

Peaks Island Puppets will be performing at the Brick Church for the Performing Arts on Christian Hill Road in Lovell at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6. Tickets (at the door) will be $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. For more information, please call 925-1500 or go to www.lovellbrickchurch.org.                                                                                  

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