Puppet Maker, Entertainer Combines Love Of Kids, Craft

Ten radiantly decorated puppets stood neatly arranged on Murial Liere’s dining room table.

Behind them, giant swatches of felt detailed the sands and buildings of Bethlehem.

In her spare time, Liere, 71, has written, directed, designed the sets and costumes and performed in puppet shows for over three decades. Her shows have entertained children at pre-schools, elementary schools and churches around the Spokane Valley for the past 17 years.

Her newest production, Another Christmas Story, will open Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. at Spokane Valley Methodist Church. She will do the show for children from the church while their parents listen to a bell choir.

“I love doing this for the children,” said Liere, who has averaged about two shows a year for 30-plus years.

Her shows have targeted young audiences. By the time children are ready for middle school, they’ve outgrown her colorful productions, she said.

Liere’s puppets have told mostly biblical tales. Jack and the Beanstock is among the few children’s fables she has included among her estimated 60 shows. In each, Liere has tried to include a lesson.

“The kids grasp it better (by watching) than if you tell them what happens,” Liere said.

The puppets stand about a foot tall. Several of the props they carry were crafted from household items Liere has cleverly reused.

One of her puppets holds a silver bucket - a lid taken from a bottle of dishwasher liquid. Yarn doubles as hair on all of them.

Liere begins preparing for shows months in advance. Each puppet takes about two weeks to make, though Liere adds the finishing touches only days before performances.

Their heads are shaped using papier-mache and their clothes trimmed with shimmering beads and shiny buttons. Most of the puppets and their outfits are made for specific shows, but some are reused.

Nine of the 10 that will perform in the upcoming production were made specifically for the show.

“It’s a lot more fun to do something new, but if it fits the occasion then I reuse them,” Liere said.

Boxes full of clothes make up Liere’s wardrode department in the basement of her Greenacres home.

Family and friends make up the cast and crew. Her daughter and grandson and one of his friends typically operate the puppets. Liere’s son prepares the music and audio for the shows, while her husband, Oscar, builds the sets and coordinates the shows.

“He’s my stage manager,” Liere said of her 80-year-old handyman.

Liere’s love for puppets was born south of Spokane in the small town of Plaza, where she saw her first show. On that day, Liere’s older sister hoisted her onto her shoulders so she could watch as puppets danced across a miniature stage.

“I was so little that I couldn’t see it,” she said.

Determined to see the show again, Liere positioned herself in front of the stage and waited patiently for the next show.

Her love for puppets has not faded.

“Oscar says I’m in my second childhood, which I think I am,” she said.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo