Beloved ’90s Favorite “The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales” Makes a Wild World Premiere at Center for Puppetry Arts
ATLANTA (APRIL 2026) – The Center for Puppetry Arts will present the world premiere of “The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales,” a high-energy stage adaptation of Jon Scieszka’s 1992 picture book, illustrated by Lane Smith. A favorite among millennial and Gen X readers, the irreverent classic reimagines traditional fairy tales through mashups and parodies.
Opening spring break, the production runs April 7-May 17, capturing the book’s absurdist spirit through inventive design, dynamic sets, rapid-fire humor and more than 20 handcrafted puppets. To celebrate Opening Saturday on April 11, the Center will feature an on-site activation from the Children’s Museum of Atlanta.
“The Stinky Cheese Man introduced a level of irreverence that simply hadn’t been aimed at young audiences before,” said Artistic Director Jason Hines. “That sense of mischief and surprise is exactly what puppetry does best. It lets us be anarchic on stage and invite the audience in on the joke.”
From Page to Stage: Building a World that Refuses to Behave
Behind the scenes, more than 20 characters, including The Stinky Cheese Man (a twist on the Gingerbread Man), The Other Frog Prince, The Hare and other fairy tale caricatures, were brought to life over three months, each requiring unique mechanics and materials. The production uses a fast-changing mix of rod, glove, shadow, string and hybrid puppets to reflect the book’s playful, chaotic structure.
“Our team relied on tools like 3D modeling and printing along with traditional puppet-making techniques to create everything from mouth mechanisms to frog teeth,” said Sam Carter, puppetry foreman. “It’s been a real crash course in puppet making.”
The production’s scenic design plays a central role in the narrative, creating a storybook-inspired world defined by layered textures, bold patterns and collage-like elements that reflect the show’s playful tone.
A Love Letter to the ’90s
The production celebrates the resurgence of 1990s culture. For audiences who discovered the book at the Scholastic Book Fair, it offers a nostalgic return to a story that helped redefine what children’s literature could be and shaped into the fractured fairy tale genre. For new audiences, it introduces a surreal world where nothing goes quite as planned.
At its core, “The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales” is a celebration of creative rebellion, questioning expectations, and finding humor in the unexpected.
For performance dates, tickets, and additional information, visit puppet.org.
Theatre for the Young USA Conference
The Center for Puppetry Arts will also present the show as part of the 2026 TYA/USA Festival & Conference in Atlanta. The inclusion of the production highlights the Center’s innovative storytelling and continued leadership in performing arts, while reinforcing its role as a unique cultural anchor in Atlanta. Hosted by the Alliance Theatre, the festival convenes artists, educators and industry leaders from across the country to showcase performances, share best practices and advance the field of Theatre for Young Audiences.
About the Center for Puppetry Arts
The Center for Puppetry Arts is a one-of-a-kind cultural institution where children and adults are educated, enlightened and entertained through performances, workshops and a world-class museum. Since 1978, the Center has inspired millions of visitors onsite and through digital learning and outreach programs. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Center is supported by corporations, foundations, government agencies and individuals including major funding from the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs and the Georgia Council for the Arts, a partner of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Center is a member of TYA/USA/ASSITEJ and serves as the headquarters of UNIMA-USA.