STRINGING TO LIFE–Joseph Cashmore interacts with a marionette. “Life in Motion” is coming to the Civic Arts Plaza Scherr Forum Theatre with a performance scheduled for 7 p.m. Fri., Oct. 16. The show is suitable for families. Performances To Grow On presents the Cashore Marionettes in “Life in Motion” at 7 p.m. Fri., Oct. 16 at the Scherr Forum Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

The puppet show consists of a series of vignettes and features an unusual combination of finely detailed marionettes, classical music underscoring and miniature set pieces. Nearly all of Joseph Cashore’s puppets, most around 24 inches tall, were tailor-made. Each marionette has a different theme, and all have different control mechanisms.

To effectively give the illusion of a marionette moving on its own, most marionettes have between 11 and 36 strings, although one has more than 42 strings.

The puppet troupe includes Maestro Janos Zelinka, a messyhaired old man who can play “Lark Ascending” note for note on his violin; old Mike, a homeless man digging through a trash can to the tune of Aaron Copland’s “Corral Nocturne”; a mother rocking her baby; a boy flying a kite; and a horse named Cyclone.

The show is recommended for adults and children ages 7 and up. Reserved seats are $18 for children and $24 for adults. Tickets are available at the Civic Arts Plaza box office, at (805) 646-8907 and online at www.ptgo.org.