PUPPET SATIRE POLITICALLY CHARGED.(BUSINESS)

Byline: KRISTA LARSON Associated Press

GLOVER, Vt. -- Near a wildflower-covered hill, before fans of all ages, a tale of two star-crossed lovers unfolds.

Dressed in papier-mache costumes, the cast includes some unlikely characters. The hero is a ``great and powerful nation.'' The heroine, a bombshell.

``Also co-starring: the rest of the world!'' a performer shouts.

Welcome to the weird, wonderful and always politically charged world of Bread & Puppet Theater, celebrating its 40th year of lefty satire and activism.

The troupe that has attracted a devoted following by taking on social commentary using unique papier-mache puppets and …