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Arts & Entertainment

'Magic Trunk' Found at Library

Puppet performance thrills kids at Bar Harbour Library.

Normally the treasures you find in the Massapequa Public Library can be found on the shelves, but on a recent Sunday a magic trunk was spotted there, much to the delight of area kids.

"Sylvia and her Magic Trunk," featuring the talents of Sylvia Markson, were on hand to entertain and teach the importance of reading.

Over 50 children were dazzled with the performance by ventriloquist Sylvia and her friends  It was held as a part of the Town of Oyster Bay’s Magical Music and More program.  

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Sylvia has been performing professionally for the past 15 years but she fell in love with puppets at an early age. When she was young she purchased a doll that came with a book called "Voice Magic" that taught her the art of being a ventriloquist.  

The one hour performance featured Sylvia and three of her puppets Smolder, a dragon, the “Massapequa” puppet, a drawing that magically came to life, and Chito, an opposum. Each character had their own distinct personality. 

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Because the show was at a library, the characters encouraged children to read and check out books.  

 “Because one book my whole life changed. The same can happen to you,” Sylvia told the the audience.   

Her husband, Chris, is her manager and also writes and produces for the show.  

“We wake up every morning, write funny things, make the characters say them and make you laugh.” Sylvia said.

The finale of the show called for two adult audience members to volunteer. Jennifer and Mike, were dressed as babies and renamed Poopsie and Sleepy. Sylvia provided the voices for them. The children in the audience could not contain their laughter.  

“I’ve seen the show countless times, but the reaction from the children still cracks me up,” Chris said.  

 Connie Smith, head children’s librarian at Bar Harbor Library, said this was one of the most successful programs they had all year.  

      “People think they can perform to children because it’s easy," she said.  "But they were a class act. They want to perform to children and enjoy it.”  

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