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Nineteenth-century European puppetry thrives in this present-day Park Slope playhouse. Under the direction of marionette-wizard Nicolas Coppola, Puppetworks presents theatrical works for the Noggin set, with source material from children's literature, folk stories, and fairy tales. The nonprofit, located on a quiet neighborhood corner (with a holiday outpost at Macy's Santaland), aims not only to entertain but to preserve the dying art form. Puppeteers conclude each performance with a behind-the-scenes demonstration, trotting out one of the company's exquisite hand-carved marionettes for closer inspection by the inquisitive audience. A vast repertoire of the theater's puppets hang from the walls, and during the week, the intimate space—with its colorful flooring and benches and bleachers lining the walls—is reserved exclusively for school groups. But show up early for the public weekend shows, because not only do they routinely sell out, the space doubles as a social club for preschoolers before the curtain goes up. — Vanita Salisbury

On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, Puppetworks can be rented for private parties. They provide the theater space, a show, and cleanup for up to 50 people; you provide everything else.