Sturdy imperial mustaches are necessary tools for puppeteers, who use them to anchor marionettes, manipulating the delicate doll appendages with every complex facial twitch. Witness this skill in action with today's deal: for $6, you get a ticket to see your choice of marionette show, The Secret Garden or Aesop, plus admission to the Simpich Doll Museum (up to a $12 value), at the Simpich Showcase in Old Colorado City.

The Secret Garden runs from May 26 through September 6, and Aesop fables from September 22 through November 7. Shows are performed Fridays at 7 p.m. and Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. There's no show on the 4th of July, but there will be special Monday matinees of The Secret Garden on May 31 and September 6 at 2:30 p.m.

The Secret Garden tells the story of a young, unhappy English girl, Mistress Mary, made famous by author Frances Hodgson Burnett. Watch as the handcrafted marionettes are deftly maneuvered to tell the story of orphan Mary as she encounters a secret garden on her uncle's desolate Yorkshire estate. The novella has delighted children since its publication in 1911 and is made extra magical via the use of marionettes. Aesop explores Aesop's fables through the perspective of a forest-dwelling hunchback, also controlled by strings. Isolated from humanity, he witnesses the exploits of the animal kingdom as they play out a series of all-too-human morality tales. The otherworldly experiences of the animal kingdom are ideal for the marionette medium, as it is well documented that lions, tigers, and bears are all controlled by string-wielding giraffes.

The Simpich Showcase is a veritable institution of poppets, puppets, and paintings and an entertainment showcase for everyone from papoose to parent. This family-owned conservatory is divided into three distinct slices: the Simpich Character Doll Museum, the Simpich Showcase Theatre, and the Simpich Fine Art Gallery. Today's Groupon is valid for admission to the museum as well as a show, so bring your children, spouse, or a group of paranormal investigators and make a day of it. The museum is home to the collection of dolls created by Simpich matriarch and patriarch Jan and Bob Simpich, who ran the doll-crafting empire from 1953 to 2007. Take a close look at the collection of nearly 500 character dolls, displayed in dioramas, posed on strings, and tap dancing in the dark of night.

Reviews

Simpich Showcase productions have been positively reviewed by the Colorado Springs Gazette, Peak Radar, and Where To Go—Travel USA:

• As we reach the climax of the story, [Simpich] adds a twist of his own that not only took me completely by surprise, but gives the story a whole new layer that’s almost heartbreaking in its poignancy and depth. – Todd Wallinger, Gazette
• You won't be disappointed! The Simpich Theater is a great addition to our area. – Sally, Peak Radar
• As the stage lights dim and applause erupts I sit in absolute awe at the performance I’ve just witnessed. I believe puppeteer David Simpich is truly a creative genius. – Nancy Yackel, Where To Go—Travel USA