Bread and Puppet draws on traditional circus troupes to focus attention on the urgent issues of the day. Stilt dancers, paper maché beasts of all sizes, and a riotous brass band make a raucous, colorful spectacle of protest and celebration. Two shows are presented this year, with a different program each week.

December 3-4: Our Domestic Resurrection Revolution in Progress Circus.
Bread & Puppet Circus is back with Anti-Empire Art, joined by Palestinian cranes on their way to Washington to replace the $(*@ in the White House with organic bird droppings, green frogs who teach the art of hopping over seemingly insurmountable problems, and gaggles of kindergarten butterflies who frolic to their hearts’ desire.

December 11-14: The Christmas Story.
In the tradition of the medieval mystery plays, this show combines reverence and impudence to speak to this exact moment. Mary and Joseph sleep with the cows because they don’t have $26.50 for a room at the Sandy Arms motel. King Herod laments the balance-of-payment deficit. The bubble-headed bourgeoisie of Jerusalem dismiss the star in the east as a publicity stunt.

Wednesday, December 3 @ 8pm – Circus
Thursday, December 4 @ 8pm – Circus
Friday, December 5 @ 8pm – Circus
Saturday, December 6 @ 3pm & 8pm – Circus
Sunday, December 7 @ 3pm – Circus
Thursday, December 11 @ 8pm – The Christmas Story
Friday, December 12 @ 8pm – The Christmas Story
Saturday, December 13 @ 3pm & 8pm – The Christmas Story
Sunday, December 14 @ 3pm – The Christmas Story

As always, the shows include puppets large and small, music, up-to-the-minute politics, and spectacles not to be missed. After the show Bread & Puppet serves its famous sourdough rye bread with aioli.