Apart from a biennial downtown festival, puppet shows are relatively rare in Manhattan, but a rather high-profile, family show is being sponsored by Macy's Puppet Theatre at their Herald Square store location. Penned by William Schermerhorn and composer Mary Ehlinger, Percy, The Poor Little Penguin: An Original Holiday Musical boasts a host of Broadway voices and officially opened to the public Nov. 23.

The show ends its run Dec. 24, but according to Macy*s spokesperson Orlando Veras (reached Dec. 19), it's proved "a hit" and will return again next year at holiday time.

With puppets created by Nicolo Coppola's Puppetworks, Percy tells of a penguin who has the bad luck to be allergic to snow. His friends, including a polar bear, a flamingo and, of course, Santa Claus, try to help him find someplace warm.

Roger Bart, a Tony winner for You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, is the voice of Percy, with the voices of The Spitfire Grill's Liz Callaway, Love! Valour! Compassion!'s Mario Cantone, Rent's Anthony Rapp, Suburb's Alix Korey, A Class Act's Jonathan Freeman also starring in the cast, alongside David Engel, John McDonough and "The Brady Bunch" matriarch Florence Henderson as the Narrator.

The show runs several times a day, seven days a week. Proceeds from all Monday performances go to the Make-a-Wish Foundation. For tickets ($2.50) and information on Percy, The Poor Little Penguin at Macy's call (212) 494-1917. — By David Lefkowitz