After 30 years of performing as a puppeteer, Paul L’Ecuyer said it is still the simple things that matter most about each show: the look on children’s faces, little feet tapping to the music and laughter, “especially when you hear a kid suddenly have a belly laugh over something they find amusing.”

    L’Ecuyer, artistic director of the Drawbridge Puppet Theater, said he was not looking for any kind of awards when he found out the Theater had been chosen as one of the 1,000 Great Places to Visit in Massachusetts. In fact, he said he’s satisfied with feedback from the audience, and from their letters, sent to the shows’ host, Willie the Wizard.

    The Drawbridge Puppet Theater brings children and families into the magical world of the stage through marionettes and music and has been drawing in faithful audiences ever since it relocated to Lunenburg from Fitchburg in 2005. One-hour performances cover some of the classic children’s tales, including Rapunzel, The Frog Prince, and The Three Billy Goats Gruff, while Santa & the Christmas Trolls is one of many holiday treats. Each show is geared for children ages 3 and up.

    Since 1992, L’Ecuyer and fellow puppeteer and associate director of the theater, Jeffrey Koslik, have been performing each show together.

    The theater lists approximately 25 production shows in its repertoire, which they revolve so “they are not repeated for perhaps a year or two,” L’Ecuyer said.

    Keeping things fresh while performing the same shows for so many years requires a clear focus on the audience, according to L’Ecuyer.

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