Strings of the Past: Western Daze Show Brings Puppetry Back to Six Flags Over Texas

Six Flags Over Texas has a long history with transformative live entertainment. From large scale productions and concerts in the Southern Palace Theater to superhero stunt spectacles in Texas Arena and even Looney Tunes ice shows, Six Flags Over Texas has built a legacy of entertainment that is truly fun for all ages. One cornerstone of live entertainment for the park — marionette shows — has made its homecoming in a meaningful way.

The History of Puppetry at Six Flags Over Texas

Puppetry at the park goes back to 1968 with the opening of the Krofft Puppet Theatre (now known as Majestic Theatre), an indoor proscenium theatre dedicated to puppet performances. Krofft Puppet Theatre featured marionette shows produced by Sid and Marty Krofft, who were famously known for their elaborate, large-scale marionette productions that toured across the nation and were featured in television shows like The Banana Splits Adventure Hour and Sigmund and the Sea Monsters.

Between 1986 and 1973, the Krofft Puppet Theatre hosted a number of puppet shows such as Circus and Follies, bringing in crowds from all over to experience the magic of the puppet theatre.

Western Daze: Bringing the legacy back to Six Flags

John Hopkins, the visionary behind Le Theatre de Marionette and producer of Western Daze, is no stranger to Six Flags Over Texas. He first started his training in puppetry at the park when he was 16 years old under the skills of Sid and Marty Krofft. From there, he not only began crafting and performing with his first marionettes, he made his first strides into the industry and quickly built a reputation for his elaborate designs and storytelling abilities.

By the time he was 19 years old, Hopkins was building the majority of puppets for Six Flags Over Texas and other Six Flags theme parks across Georgia, Missouri and California. His passions led him to Los Angeles where he pursued projects with major entertainment companies like Disney and New Line Cinema. In 1990, he returned to his hometown of Dallas, Texas, and created Le Theatre de Marionette.

Now, Hopkins steps back into the park that started it all for him. His brand-new show, Western Daze, will be the first puppet show at Six Flags Over Texas in over 50 years, built to dazzle guests with an antique artform re-imagined for new audiences.

“This legacy makes it especially meaningful for me to return with a new marionette production like Western Daze,” said Hopkins. “Six Flags Over Texas was not only a foundational part of my childhood, but it also helped me to discover my passion for puppetry.”

The Story of Western Daze

Western Daze  is a family-friendly and audience immersive style marionette show set in a lively Old West town where anything can happen — and usually does. The show opens inside a frontier saloon, where a charismatic piano player welcomes the audience and sets the tone for an evening of vaudevillian entertainment. Dancers kick up their heels, led by the glamorous Miss Kitty, who interacts with the audience. Comedy weaves through the show with exaggerated characters and playful antics capturing the spirit of a wild frontier town.

As the show expands beyond the saloon doors, the audience is introduced to the Buffalo Bill’s Wild West spectacle. A tribute to the legendary traveling shows of the era features daring feats and larger-than-life personalities: skilled riders, sharpshooters, and cultural performances that celebrate the myth and pageantry of the American West. Each act utilizes visual flair and inventive marionette gags and tricks, blending humor and action.

The show features over 20 different hand-crafted marionettes and runs approximately 24 minutes. Bring your family and enjoy a classic story that pays homage to Texas roots for the 65th anniversary season of Six Flags Over Texas.

How to See the Show at Six Flags Over Texas

Catch Western Daze at the Corral Corner Stage located in the Texas area of the park on select days this summer, starting May 16. Admission to the show is free with guests’ admission to the park.

For more information on show times, other live entertainment and more, visit sixflags.com/overtexas.