While most people view puppet shows as entertainment for children, "The Morningtime of Now" is a puppet show geared toward adults, yet still enjoyable for younger audiences.

"The Morningtime of Now," 8 p.m. Nov. 6 - 8; 2 p.m. Nov. 9, Touchstone Theatre, 321 E. Fourth St., Bethlehem, is a puppet show about Anne Hills, a nationally-known Lehigh Valley-based folksinger, who becomes attached to the diary writings of six-year-old Opal Whiteley.

In 2006, Hills recorded "Beauty Attends," a CD of 14 songs putting Opal's words to music by Michael Smith. Some of the songs were the basis of "The Morningtime of Now."

"The Morningtime of Now" premiered in May at the Charles A. Brown Ice House, Bethlehem. It was so well-received that Touchstone Theatre brought it back for its 2014-'15 season.

Whiteley's diary became the basis for a book written at the turn of the last century, says Doug Roysdon, a master puppeteer, founder and director of Mock Turtle Marionette Theatre, who directs "The Morningtime of Now."

The book gives Hills the power to reconnect with nature and childhood.

"In it [Whiteley's book], there is this fantastic kind of childish wisdom, this fantastic kind of optimism about the world, and appreciation of the world that is able to arrest an adult and ask an adult: What is important in life?" Roysdon says.

The show revolves around the theme of reconnection. In Whiteley's book, she seeks to find the mystic Blue Hills, and through the book, Hills is given faith that the Blue Hills and the possibility of reconnection exist.

The main text of the play are Whiteley's poems and stories about nature. There's a secondary text of Hills' tales that parallels the storybooks of Whiteley.

According to Roysdon, the audience experiences the trials of Whiteley and Hills, and their trials demonstrate that, despite how tough life can be, it is necessary for having faith in the Blue Hills and understanding that they are part of a journey.

Most puppet shows are written by adults for children. Roysdon says that this show stands out because it is partially written by a child, but it is meant for adults. Even though it is intended for a mature audience, there have been positive responses from children seven years old and older who have seen it. "I think there's an aspect of this play that's generational," he says.

Roysdon notes that since the original performance, the play has grown and new dimensions have been added.

The play consists of 28 puppets, and there are five puppeteers who are former apprentices of Touchstone. Kayla Prestel plays Whiteley. The music compositions are by Smith. Hills is the songwriter and singer for the pieces. She, along with the Mock Turtle Marionette Theatre ensemble, are the writers and producers of the play.

Jay Ansill plays the harp and the fiddle. Touchstone Theatre's apprentice corps participates. Lighting is by Touchstone's Emma Chong.

According to Roysdon, the show is an amalgamation of literary arts, music, puppetry and a bit of dancing:

"For all of its variety and all of its singing and puppetry, it really is intended to address a mythic-kind of subject that's serious, and I think in that sense it's an adult play that kids can really relate to."

Tickets: touchstone.org, 610 867-1689