Maggie's Magical Cat and Other Catastrophes takes an entertaining but truthful look at the difficulties of peer pressure. The play begins with a group of college women studying. When Maggie, the younger sister of one of the students, bursts in to declare "fourth grade sucks" the women proceed to tell Maggie a story. The women assume the roles of Maggie's peers.
Magdelena Morrow shows us that Maggie's transformation from an invisible nobody to a top girl does not come without a price. She anchors the show with an honest portrayal that never turns into a stereotype.
The title and promotional materials suggest a "Ramona Quimby" or "Diary of a Wimpy Kid". ( Maggie and her magical cat playfully engage with audiences to explore the sometimes painful, often comical world of grade-school politics, unconventional families, adoption & other "what-ifs?" of the universe.) But the content is much more mature than that. Maggie's cat Magic (Amy Veerkamp) is an expert in clique warfare. She's definitely not cute and cuddly. Veerkamp also does a nice turn as queen bee Lindsay.
I would not recommend this show to anyone under 9 years old. But that is what makes it a good show for a "tween" or older. All shows shouldn't be for all ages.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
The Supercilious Ways of Walter Wading
Oh fer cute! The Supercilious Ways of Walter Wading is an adorable show for the preschool/grade school set. Walter Edward Wading III (K. Thomas Whitby) is a pompous theater professor who is reawakened to the joys of "staring at the stars and playing silly games". The simple story serves as a canvas for all kinds of mayhem.
Walter Wading encounters three woodland beings (their true identities are revealed later). Movement, mime, and slapstick ensue. These three "sprites"(Betsy E. Mills, Melissa Alness, and Corey Mills) decide to perform "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Walter Wading is horrified by their misinterpretation (which includes the African jungle and a monkey fairy).
The very young audience was enthralled but the adults seemed to be having just as much fun. My ten year old loved the show. He saw "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the Guthrie-his first Shakespeare play-in April. He felt smart that he "got the joke".
I strongly recommend this show. If you know a child who you think might enjoy theater this would be the perfect first experience. The show is engaging and energetic and about 40 minutes short. Plus, SPARK is so welcoming towards the young and squirmy that the director, (Betsy Mills) put the following in their program: Parents, Now I know that my blood pressure can start rising if my child or children are wiggling and/or vocalizing in these types of settings. No need to worry! While we want to encourage good audience skills (sitting and not talking), we also want children to feel welcome, enjoy themselves and be eager to return to the theater. We invited all ages to come and we are glad that you are here! I know that when my boys were younger I would have appreciated such a statement.
So there you go. Grab your preschool child, niece, nephew, or neighbor kid (OK-ask their parents first) and take them to the fringe.
Walter Wading encounters three woodland beings (their true identities are revealed later). Movement, mime, and slapstick ensue. These three "sprites"(Betsy E. Mills, Melissa Alness, and Corey Mills) decide to perform "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Walter Wading is horrified by their misinterpretation (which includes the African jungle and a monkey fairy).
The very young audience was enthralled but the adults seemed to be having just as much fun. My ten year old loved the show. He saw "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the Guthrie-his first Shakespeare play-in April. He felt smart that he "got the joke".
I strongly recommend this show. If you know a child who you think might enjoy theater this would be the perfect first experience. The show is engaging and energetic and about 40 minutes short. Plus, SPARK is so welcoming towards the young and squirmy that the director, (Betsy Mills) put the following in their program: Parents, Now I know that my blood pressure can start rising if my child or children are wiggling and/or vocalizing in these types of settings. No need to worry! While we want to encourage good audience skills (sitting and not talking), we also want children to feel welcome, enjoy themselves and be eager to return to the theater. We invited all ages to come and we are glad that you are here! I know that when my boys were younger I would have appreciated such a statement.
So there you go. Grab your preschool child, niece, nephew, or neighbor kid (OK-ask their parents first) and take them to the fringe.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Kids Fringe
Our schedule is set-Tommy and I are going to see 13 shows in the first 6 days of the fringe. This year the kids' schedule is a dream. The majority of the shows are in the West Bank/UM theater zone. So even though we have to take Monday night off (piano lessons!), we can still see all 11 kids' offerings. Our other two choices are Silent Poetry (as previously mentioned) and My Hovercraft is Full of Eels.
Here are our "Top 5 Best Bets for Kids", in no particular order. Remember, we haven't seen them yet!
Maggie's Magical Cat and Other Catastrophes by SPACT. This is the same collaboration of Gustavus Adolphus and St. Peter area students who presented the lovely "Miranda's Amazing Adventure" last year.
An Inconvenient Squirrel-A Scrimshaw show for kids. If you have been attending the fringe for as long as we have, this is either a sign of the apocalypse (like when Madonna was on the cover of Good Housekeeping) or that we are all getting old (also like when Madonna was on the cover of Good Housekeeping.) Either way, the title alone would put this on my list.
Snip, Snap, Snute. Russ King, keyboardist for The New Congress, anchors the instrumental accompaniment of this new musical comedy about trolls.
Robin Hood the Musical! by Top Hat. Theater by kids for kids.
Fools for Love by the Hastings Drama Club. Theater for kids by teens. The show promises a parade, dinosaur impressions, and a penguin ballet.
One more plug-the festival is sponsoring a family ice cream social on Saturday August 2 at Bedlam from 12-3. We will be there between shows.
Here are our "Top 5 Best Bets for Kids", in no particular order. Remember, we haven't seen them yet!
Maggie's Magical Cat and Other Catastrophes by SPACT. This is the same collaboration of Gustavus Adolphus and St. Peter area students who presented the lovely "Miranda's Amazing Adventure" last year.
An Inconvenient Squirrel-A Scrimshaw show for kids. If you have been attending the fringe for as long as we have, this is either a sign of the apocalypse (like when Madonna was on the cover of Good Housekeeping) or that we are all getting old (also like when Madonna was on the cover of Good Housekeeping.) Either way, the title alone would put this on my list.
Snip, Snap, Snute. Russ King, keyboardist for The New Congress, anchors the instrumental accompaniment of this new musical comedy about trolls.
Robin Hood the Musical! by Top Hat. Theater by kids for kids.
Fools for Love by the Hastings Drama Club. Theater for kids by teens. The show promises a parade, dinosaur impressions, and a penguin ballet.
One more plug-the festival is sponsoring a family ice cream social on Saturday August 2 at Bedlam from 12-3. We will be there between shows.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Preview
The two week countdown to the fringe begins. We are beginning to sketch out our family schedule. I am thrilled that the Rarig Center complex will be hosting shows again this year. Those venues, along with Mixed Blood, the Southern, and Bedlam are all within walking distance. Plus, it is easy to find a nice outdoor spot to enjoy a packed lunch between kids' fringe shows. We always make our way to Jimmy John's at least once.
Tommy, now 10, is determined to see all of the "official" kids' shows this year. Unlike last year, it is humanly possible. He reminded me that his favorite show last year was NOT a kids' show. It was "Around the World in 80 days in under 60 minutes".
After the first fringe show case at the Ritz I added one more for our family. Silent Poetry-Mime Inspired by Marcel Marceau by Dean Hatton. Under 5 are not permitted. Hatton's three minute snippet was brilliant. I want to see more. Plus, 6 weeks into summer vacation I would like to emphasize to my boys the power of silence.
Top Hat Theater's Robin Hood The Musical! was the only Kids' Fringe offering at the showcase. Two young actors sang a Broadway style pop power-ballad with strong clear voices. When my children were younger Top Hat's shows were among their favorites. The shows follow a set formula and are earnest and irony-free. That is their strength. I highly recommend this as a "first fringe show" for a younger child.
More to come.
Tommy, now 10, is determined to see all of the "official" kids' shows this year. Unlike last year, it is humanly possible. He reminded me that his favorite show last year was NOT a kids' show. It was "Around the World in 80 days in under 60 minutes".
After the first fringe show case at the Ritz I added one more for our family. Silent Poetry-Mime Inspired by Marcel Marceau by Dean Hatton. Under 5 are not permitted. Hatton's three minute snippet was brilliant. I want to see more. Plus, 6 weeks into summer vacation I would like to emphasize to my boys the power of silence.
Top Hat Theater's Robin Hood The Musical! was the only Kids' Fringe offering at the showcase. Two young actors sang a Broadway style pop power-ballad with strong clear voices. When my children were younger Top Hat's shows were among their favorites. The shows follow a set formula and are earnest and irony-free. That is their strength. I highly recommend this as a "first fringe show" for a younger child.
More to come.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Fringe for All #1
It's advent season for fringers. The first candle is this Monday night at the Fringe-for-All #1. The second opportunity to work on wish lists will be Wednesday night July 9. Bryant Lake Bowl is hosting The Rabbit Show's extravaganza Dance Shows That Got Into the Fringe .
The full schedule is up on the official website. Attending these previews is an easy way to sample what the artists' have to offer. Bring a pencil and take notes.
In the past, my official "beat" has been kids' fringe. My "extreme fringer" is now 10. He came along for 10 shows last year and is aiming to crush his personal record. Last year I added musicals. I build my schedule around those 2 genres and then fill in the blanks with whatever strikes my fancy.
Merry Fringemas!
The full schedule is up on the official website. Attending these previews is an easy way to sample what the artists' have to offer. Bring a pencil and take notes.
In the past, my official "beat" has been kids' fringe. My "extreme fringer" is now 10. He came along for 10 shows last year and is aiming to crush his personal record. Last year I added musicals. I build my schedule around those 2 genres and then fill in the blanks with whatever strikes my fancy.
Merry Fringemas!
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