It has the earliest of curtain times, it has the latest of curtain times. Its audience drinks from juice boxes, its audience drinks from beer cans. It is a carefully controlled underwater adventure, it is puppet anarchy. What the Dickens is going on? This week, two new Off-Broadway puppet productions are opening, and while they couldn’t be more different in many ways, both John Tartaglia's IMAGINOCEAN and Stuffed and Unstrung are shining examples of the theatrical possibilities of felt and fur.

John Tartaglia's IMAGINOCEAN, now making its Off-Broadway premiere at New World Stages, is a song-filled, visually spectacular black light puppet production depicting the friendship between three fish as they follow a treasure map and discover that the greatest treasure of all is each other. John Tartaglia, the creator/producer/writer of this adorable hourlong family musical, was a bit surprised to be playing across the hall from Avenue Q, the outrageously raunchy adult puppet musical that earned him a Tony nomination for "Best Actor in a Musical" back in 2004.

“It wasn’t planned that way,” John laughs, “and it’s kind of fun to come full circle. We joke that parents go to Avenue Q and drop off their kids and babysitters at our show.” But he’s quick to add that John Tartaglia's IMAGINOCEAN was created with the whole family in mind. “There’s something for everyone here, and though the story is simple, it’s not dumbed-down. Kids are so much smarter than (adults) are. The show is obviously kid-friendly, but families can definitely watch the show with their children.”

The black-light puppetry, indeed, is stunning. The black-clad puppet actors blend so seamlessly with the dark background that it really seems like the puppets are floating. A white sheet easily becomes the surface of the ocean, spinning ribbons become ocean currents, and brightly colored jellyfish jump, jive and seem to pop out at the audience as real soap bubbles float overhead. John is especially proud of the show’s music which ranges stylistically from pop to big band to traditional musical theatre (songs were written by William Wade). In fact, John says his Broadway pals wish their shows sounded as lush and full as John Tartaglia's IMAGINOCEAN’s pre-recorded tracks.

John calls himself a beast of variety – he’s hard-pressed to choose between television (he's an alum of "Sesame Street" and his own Emmy-nominated "Johnny and the Sprites") and theatre, between performing and producing and writing. That said, “it’s invigorating and exciting to watch the show come to life. I find a lot of satisfaction in creating, to have an idea and watch everyone pull it together.” In addition, he voices several characters in John Tartaglia's IMAGINOCEAN, so although he’s not physically present onstage, he says his soul is part of every performance. That said, John already misses Shrek (which closed in January), and hinted that he may have another onstage gig soon. In the meantime, John Tartaglia's IMAGINOCEAN continues to delight and charm audiences of all ages in its Off-Broadway engagement, and a national tour is in the works to bring the magic to cities across America.

Performances for John Tartaglia's IMAGINOCEAN are scheduled for Wednesdays at 11am, 2pm and 7pm; Saturdays at 11am; and Sundays at 12pm. Tickets are $39 and can be purchased through TeleCharge (212) 239-6200 and at the box office at New World Stages. For groups of 12 or more, please contact Group Sales Box Office at 800-223-7565 or visit www.bestofoffbroadway.com.