Linden Park, the historical name for the park, as I remember is located between 103rd and 104th Streets on 41st and 42nd Avenues in Corona, Queens. Its name has since changed to reflect the present demographics. I remember Linden Park as a young boy raised by a single parent back in the fifties. It was a pleasant people’s park, with meandering walkways with flowers dotting pathways, and a pond graced the middle of the park like a cameo, adjacent to Public Junior High School #16 where I attended Middle school. A dozen times during the year, the New York City Parks Department, together with NYC theatre groups, presented free theatre-in-the-park. Plays, and puppet stage performances were its forte.

This was my first introduction to Broadway performances. It was fun and entertaining, provided enjoyment, amusement, and pleasure. It was also informative, educational, and delightful. Here in the park, I acquired a love for theatre. Here I escaped from my harsh reality. Oh, how I loved the puppet shows! They touched my heart and soul. I could relate making a connection with the puppets’ plight. I felt sympathy, empathy, and affinity with the characters.

‘Til today, these puppet shows are inscribed and engraved in my mind and heart. What a joy for a little boy to experience such wonder. Till this day over 60 years later. I can still feel the emotional connection to the theatre of puppetry.

The power of the written words in a performance in a puppet show is extraordinary, and exhilarating.
Wow! A must see, at any age. Sheer poetry. Spectacular-pow! Magic.

Vincent J. Tomeo
Flushing