He once played fine theaters
But that day is gone.
The Old Puppeteer had to move right along…

Josh Herman’s decades-long career in entertainment has been full of impressive accolades and exciting turns. A member of The Screen Actors Guild, The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and the Royal Court Repertory Company, Josh has had opportunities to perform onstage, on-screen, and just about everywhere else — from the circus, to your local carnival, to the boardwalks of the Jersey Shore.

His next stop? The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre in New York City’s Central Park.

That’s where Josh will perform this Sunday, October 18 at 3 p.m. as part of Suspended Oddities: Marionnette Puppet Slam. Produced by Arlee Chadwick and sponsored by The Puppet Slam Network founded by Heather Henson — daughter of the late Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets — this afternoon of original, short-form experimental string puppetry is family-friendly and free to attend.

“It means a lot to be part of the event, because I’ve always respected the performers from the Swedish Marionette Cottage in Central Park,” Herman said. “I’ve worked with and gone to performances featuring many of these puppeteers over the years, many of whom were part of the ‘who’s who’ of puppetry.”

The Puppet Slam event coincides with the release of Herman’s new music video for his song, The Old Puppeteer. The new single — a minimalist waltz featuring Herman on vocals and guitar and Charlie Willis on violin — tells the story of a beloved entertainer that time forgot. Over time, bright lights and big stages turned to street corners and sidewalks, until one day, he was nowhere to be found, save for memories.

“I have been a street performer and busker myself, and met and befriended many other street performers. Some of it is based on that experience,” Herman noted. “A large part of the inspiration for the song came from an episode of the television show Highway to Heaven, which starred the late Michael Landon as an angel. In one episode, one of my favorite performers, Dick Van Dyke, portrayed a kind-hearted street puppeteer named Wally who eventually becomes an angel himself.”

The video was directed by Jonathan McFarland, and features Herman performing with an array of expressive puppets, many of which he produced or restored alongside puppet makers Fred Cowan, Scott Land, Linda Sliski, Lisa Land, and Roger Dennis.

Watch the video below. And, for our New York area friends, get your tickets to Sunday’s Puppet Slam here.

As for what makes the event special?

“All of the puppet pieces at the event on Sunday will be done with Marionettes. This is not the usual case with puppet slams, where all forms of puppetry are usually performed, making this puppet slam unique,” Herman noted. “People can expect innovative puppetry with everything from short, interesting stories; classic tales; Marionettes dancing; and circus style acts with many surprises.”