'
Piccolo'
The precocious bambino, 'Piccolo' is deeply seated in Marilyn's ethnicity. Since her maternal Italian grandmother came to America at the turn of the century and refused to speak any English the whole time she lived in Hartford, CT, so 'Piccolo' does the same. 'Piccolo' was created in 1994 and has become a popular New England personality as Marilyn rekindles her Italian roots, taking Italian classes to be best able to communicate for - and with - this endearing little fellow."…It is an incredible moment to watch you suddenly 'breathe life' into this inanimate puppet. He becomes an entity - a living, breathing creature - with the ability to enchant us with his winning, yet cheeky ways…"
J.G. "Paw-Paw" Pinkerton, Rowayton, CT '98 TELLABRATION!
'Tiffany'
A street-wise puppet from North Carolina, 'Tiffany' was patterned after a black child in Michigan. Marilyn met the real Tiffany at a Scandinavian Christmas party, and was so taken with the outspoken, clever little girl who had been adopted by Norwegian folks that she decided to recreate her in the form of a puppet to go into the Detroit metro schools, for better identification with the children. The puppet, 'Tiffany' was "born" in 1988, and has been touring with Marilyn ever since. Her insecurities often give rise to the stories Marilyn tells her.
"You and Tiffany both made me laugh in such a deep way that I feel loosened up inside and I thank you for this!" John Nugent Hahn, Sharing the Fire Conference, Boston, MA
Both puppets were custom crafted from foam by Rus Gordinier
