Actors know the advice about not working with children or animals for fear of being upstaged, but it might be time to add something else to that list — puppets.

Spare a thought for the hardworking actors in the Orlando Shakes production of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show,” who have to be aware that the stars of their show are the colorful puppets sharing the stage with them. And they are completely outnumbered: Three human actors vs. 75 handcrafted puppets.

Yep, it’s a puppet-polooza, all right.

The 45-minute show brings to life four stories by author-illustrator Eric Carle, the most notable being the tale that gives the production its title. How many of us giggled in amazement as youngsters, sticking sticky fingers through the holes in the book’s pages that detail how a peckish caterpillar eats his way into a glorious transformation?

“‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ is in high rotation in our household,” says Keith Traver, director of the show for Orlando Shakes and father of three. “It’s been just wonderful having my own kids come in and watch.”

Booking the show, which is licensed by Rockefeller Studios in New York, is something of a departure for Orlando Shakes. In years past, for example, it has staged locally written adaptations of classic fairy tales.

But “we had the ability and we looked for something a little different,” Traver said.

And those puppets, which include a menagerie of animals from fireflies to seahorses to an elephant, proved irresistible.

“They are absolutely gorgeous,” Traver says.

They also meant there would be a learning curve for the performers who manipulate them throughout the show. “Oh, it was steep,” Traver says with a chuckle.

Jacob Romeo takes Mr. Seahorse for a spin in the Orlando Shakes production of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show.” (Courtesy Tony Firriolo via Orlando Shakes)

But he stacked the deck in his favor, casting actors who he knew had puppeteering experience; two had worked with puppets for Orlando Shakes’ production of “Stuart Little.”

And he brought in Nic Parks, master puppet designer, builder and trainer, who worked for MicheLee Puppets and now shares his skills with Orlando Family Stage.

“He came in and got familiar with these puppets and gave notes on what the actors can do,” Traver says.

They put the show together in a matter of weeks, with seven days of tech rehearsal with the puppets.

“It was very fast, but it was a lot of fun,” Traver says.

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That fun is reflected in the production, which runs at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center through Nov. 9.

At a recent viewing, the child next to me proved to be an expert, confidently (and correctly) announcing ahead of time that the lion in Carle’s “The Blue Horse” would be green. The audience also cheered for an orange elephant, squeezed into a window, and an undulating red crocodile, among others.

Sarah Lockard greets a pink rabbit, manipulated by Jacob Romeo. It’s one of the more than 75 puppets used in the Orlando Shakes production of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show.” (Courtesy Tony Firriolo via Orlando Shakes)

A lonely firefly looking for friends elicited sympathy, and a paternal seahorse led an exploration of marine life in other stories. But the star of the show is that multi-legged muncher.

“THE HUNGRY CATERPILLAR!” the young audience roared in delight at his appearance. And, oh, the glee, every time his little red face appeared in a new hole in a plum or strawberry after taking a bite — given extra oomph by actor Jacob Romeo’s chomping sound.

Romeo, Dominique Marshall and Sarah Lockard are the terrific trio managing the multitude of puppets while also narrating the tales. Particularly visually pleasing: The puppets are designed in the style of Carle’s illustrations, increasing the nostalgia for adult audience members.

“That’s the great, great thing about this,”  Traver says. “All of the props and everything look like the books.”

The show, which already ran off-Broadway once, is slated to return there in December. But for now, Central Florida’s children are shrieking with delight as a pink rabbit nuzzles a human performer or that caterpillar chomps through an orange … or five. Parents are laughing, too.

The title character is delighted to eat his way through four strawberries in the Orlando Shakes production of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show,” with help from Dominque Marshall (from left), Jacob Romeo and Sarah Lockard. (Courtesy Tony Firriolo via Orlando Shakes)

“This is one I was familiar with growing up,” Traver says of the nostalgia factor for adults. “It’s just wonderful to bring this story out to an audience.”

Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find more entertainment news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/entertainment or sign up to receive our weekly emailed Entertainment newsletter.

‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show’

Length: 45 minutes
Where: Margeson Theater at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E. Rollins St. in Orlando
When: Through Nov. 9
Cost: $30-$40 adults, $20-$30 children
What else: Stick around for photo opportunities with the cast and Carle-style puppets after the show
Info: orlandoshakes.org

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/23/very-hungry-caterpillar-show-orlando-shakes/