- June 15, 2025
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Jerry Bickel, founder and executive director of Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre, says his main goal at his library shows is to inspire children to immerse themselves in their imaginations and be more interested in reading books.
Photo by Madison BierlAthena Guzman and her daughter Artemis are visiting Artemis' grandma Marisol Guzman who lives in Lakewood Ranch from New York and they decided to come see the show.
Photo by Madison BierlPalmetto's Wanda Jackson brought her grandsons Jackson and Kolton Ambeau of Bradenton to see Puss in Boots.
Photo by Madison BierlJerry Bickel knew from a young age he wanted to be a puppeteer. When his friends would get jobs in high school working at McDonalds, he would perform puppet shows at birthday parties.
Photo by Madison BierlJuliana Born, 6, Troy Born, 4, explore the puppets of Puss in Boots after seeing the live puppet show.
Photo by Madison BierlLakewood Ranch residents Katie and 5-year-old Georgia Pinto follow along in the story of Puss in Boots.
Photo by Madison BierlAlaina Lininger, 6-year-old Lakewood Ranch resident, is eager to take a selfie with the puppets with her camera.
Photo by Madison BierlJerry Bickel shows audience members Juliana Born and Alaina Lininger the behind the scenes set up of his puppet show.
Photo by Madison BierlLakewood Ranch resident Anthony Palazzo came to the puppet show along with his two sons: 4-year-old Enzo and 3-year-old Anthony.
Photo by Madison BierlLakewood Ranch resident Caren Starala brought her grandkids Juliana Born, 6, Troy Born, 4, and Gabriella Born, 10 months to see the show. Starala says she appreciates how much talent and magic Bickel presented.
Photo by Madison BierlJuliana Born, 6, Troy Born, 4, are shown the storybook of Puss in Boots after seeing the live puppet show.
Photo by Madison BierlLakewood Ranch residents Kelly Elkins, 4-year-old Maverick Elkins and 2-year-old Jackson Elkins enjoy the show with their Care Bears.
Photo by Madison Bierl10-month-old Gabriella Born is shown the puppets up close by her grandma Caren Starala.
Photo by Madison BierlDuring his shows, Bickel is changing his voice for different characters while controlling the puppets and lighting to further the effects of the story.
Photo by Madison BierlMarionettes are puppets that are controlled by strings and sticks and wires. Bickel uses only puppets he has made himself in his shows.
Photo by Madison BierlIn the original Puss in Boots, the ogre changes into a lion. Bickel says in his story, he decided to let him change into a skeleton to make it a little different.
Photo by Madison BierlBickel enjoys taking the puppets out to the audience. He says there are a lot of puppeteers who would never do that because it breaks the illusion but he believes it heightens everything.
Photo by Madison BierlAfter watching Jerry Bickel perform Wednesday at the Lakewood Ranch Library, 6-year-old Juliano Born was asked if she wanted to be a puppeteer like Bickel.
Lakewood Ranch's Born said no, but noted, "I loved how he had different voices. I have a really loud voice, almost as loud as a microphone."
A crowd of about 75, made up of parents and their children, watched Bickel perform "Puss in Boots."
Bickel is founder and executive director of Bits 'N Pieces Puppet Theatre, has been a puppeteer for 50 years.
"I love this group," Bickel said of his audience at the library. "Their imagination is wide open. They're with you 100% of the way. If they don't like it, they'll tell you right away, too. Luckily, I don't have that happen because I spent a lifetime refining how to not make that happen."
Bickel, who performed as a one-man show, liked Born's comment about having a loud voice.
"If you've got a nice, loud voice, you're halfway there," Bickel said.
He said the most important characteristic to become a puppeteer is being a storyteller. Born said this was her first puppet show and she wants to see as many as she can in the future.
Based in Tampa, Bickel currently is on tour in the region with three upcoming shows that include "Puss in Boots," "Selfish Giant," and "Hansel and Gretel."
"I get as much joy out of working with these small audiences as working in a 2,000-seat auditorium," Bickel said. "In an audience like this — there were maybe 75 people here today — you see every single person and that can't be duplicated."
