Monday, August 9, 2010
Waiting for Biffy
Waiting for Biffy is a show for listed as For ages 7+ Clowning/mime, Comedy. Don't let the word "mime" scare you. My children look forward to these shows each year. Last year, Dean Hatton and Kirsten Stephen's show "Silent Poetry 2" was #4 on Tommy's top 10 list. Mime is cool.
This year's show is fresh and fun. The classic bits are there-the chase, the escalator, the "mime hits a wall". But the addition of Renee Howard allows for more play. Trios and duos alternate with solo works. Using their bodies and faces and every bit of the Jungle stage they told stories of porta-potties, uncertain love, and learning to fly. Stephens' solo romp through the sensory-overload of the State Fair. (I'm convinced that it was the Great Minnesota Get-together. ) Howard as a bird hatching was beautiful. Stretching and contracting, dancing and arching, speeding up and slowing down, she became the bird.
"There is no such thing as an empty space or an empty time. There is always something to see, something to hear. In fact, try as we may to make a silence, we cannot." -John Cage
If the Shoe Fits
If the Shoe Fits is an energetic piece of theater for kids, by kids. My 12 year old liked this show a lot. There was a three year old sitting near us having the time of his life. Cute as a button, I think the little guy thought he was in the show.
The story is a loose interpretation of the Cinderella story told through dance. The cast is made up of boys and girls from about kindergarten age through high school students. The pacing was very uneven-there were huge gaps between scenes and the story didn't always come through clearly. There was a fairy godmother type character who changed her costume a lot and a young man (the prince?) who was expected to play football but wanted to dance. (Fact: We have seen 3 kids' fringe shows with a boy who doesn't want to play football.)
I was really glad to see a dance group step out of the recital format and try something new. The strength of the show is the dancing-especially the tap numbers. There were so many talented young people in this cast. I hope to see what they do in the future.
The story is a loose interpretation of the Cinderella story told through dance. The cast is made up of boys and girls from about kindergarten age through high school students. The pacing was very uneven-there were huge gaps between scenes and the story didn't always come through clearly. There was a fairy godmother type character who changed her costume a lot and a young man (the prince?) who was expected to play football but wanted to dance. (Fact: We have seen 3 kids' fringe shows with a boy who doesn't want to play football.)
I was really glad to see a dance group step out of the recital format and try something new. The strength of the show is the dancing-especially the tap numbers. There were so many talented young people in this cast. I hope to see what they do in the future.
Fartosaurus Rex
Fartosaurus Rex is a smorgasbord of scatological humor. Aimed at the Captain Underpants set, the show is packed with puppets, poop jokes, and a big green Tyrannosaurus. A quick 35 minutes long, this is a good choice for "first Fringe show". Don't overthink it. (Vegetarian Diets led to global warming and the mass extinction of dinosaurs? Really?) Just enjoy the performance of Fartosaurus Rex himself, and the best fringe mascot cameo ever.
The First Five Minutes are Slow
The First Five Minutes are Slow is a quirky show for older children and adults. Kathryn Jorgenson is Mary, a bedraggled office slave. Everything after that is open for interpretation. Mary's daydream takes her on an adventure where she comes into contact with a strange bird, dead fish, battling squid, guys singing the strangest version of Danny Boy, and an annoying guy who spoils the ending to movies. She rides a train, toils through the desert, and enters the coolest cave ever. The cast of 3-Jorgenson, Brant Miller, and Mark Rehani rely on pure imagination and a few props from Office Max to invent a wacky world. I would recommend it for ages 10+.
Story Time Time Bomb
Story Time Time Bomb is whiz-bang fun. With plenty of help from the audience, the cast creates a story to present to "The Publisher" (William Marth) at the end of the show. Artist, writer, and show co-producer Christopher Jones (Chris) sketches the story from just outside of the audience's sight line. His writing partner Tim Wick (Tim) works the audience for ideas and narrates the story. Chris and Tim trade silly banter back and forth, resulting in giggles.
Actors Jen Scott and Matt Allex, along with the unseen hero "Sound Guy" (Butch Roy) improvise a silly adventure to feudal Japan. Our audience-named heroine Carrie (played by Scott, who ad-libs, "But I wanted to go to the prom!) and her tiger friend travel through toxic mist and caves and evil goldfish and Pokemon jokes to battle evil Toyotas. For all ages.
Actors Jen Scott and Matt Allex, along with the unseen hero "Sound Guy" (Butch Roy) improvise a silly adventure to feudal Japan. Our audience-named heroine Carrie (played by Scott, who ad-libs, "But I wanted to go to the prom!) and her tiger friend travel through toxic mist and caves and evil goldfish and Pokemon jokes to battle evil Toyotas. For all ages.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Open and Affirming Fairy Tales
Tommy and I kicked off Fringe Day #1 with Open and Affirming Fairy Tales: The FaBUlous Fables of RainBeaU Bay . AWOL productions has created a playful, traditional piece of children's theater with an open heart. Although the show proves that GLBT-friendly kids' theater is not an oxymoron, that isn't the focus of the show. It isn't preachy or precious. It's for kids. Yes, it's about valuing all families. But most of all, Open and Affirming Fairy Tales is about having the courage to be yourself.
The show is divided into four short stories-three classic fairy tales and one new one. Each tale is told by adult actors with simple props. In Fisher and the Fish, a parachute becomes a pond, a cap with a stuffed fish transforms an actor into a fish. The Frog Princess, who happens to have two Dads, meets a new friend. A boy finds the Golden Goose and wins the attentions of the prince. And the Queen lets them go on a date. The new tale, The Mayor Who Outlawed Jellybeans, introduces a pompous Mayor who makes ridiculous proclamations that affect the whole village. The children are the heroes who must find a way to make things right.
At the end of the show each child is given a button withe the letters B. U.. Kids love swag, and it is a nice souvenir of a fun afternoon at the Fringe.
The show is divided into four short stories-three classic fairy tales and one new one. Each tale is told by adult actors with simple props. In Fisher and the Fish, a parachute becomes a pond, a cap with a stuffed fish transforms an actor into a fish. The Frog Princess, who happens to have two Dads, meets a new friend. A boy finds the Golden Goose and wins the attentions of the prince. And the Queen lets them go on a date. The new tale, The Mayor Who Outlawed Jellybeans, introduces a pompous Mayor who makes ridiculous proclamations that affect the whole village. The children are the heroes who must find a way to make things right.
At the end of the show each child is given a button withe the letters B. U.. Kids love swag, and it is a nice souvenir of a fun afternoon at the Fringe.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Fringe 2010
The 2010 Fringe has begun. Tommy (my 12 year old "hardcore" fringer) and I already have four shows under our belt. There are 10 "official" shows for kids this year; however, there are many more that are certainly appropriate for older children. For the first time we won't be able to see everything that captivates their interest. It isn't possible.
Here are my Top 10 Picks for Family Friendly Fringing (remember-the beauty of the Fringe is that is an unjuried festival; I have not seen these shows in their entirety).
1. Princess Jessica and the Kingdom of Boogers Because of this video. Brought to you by the guys from Lick, perhaps the last year's most juvenile adult show.
2. Story Time Bomb Improv for kids. My favorite 3 minutes of Fringe-for-All 2 at the Ritz.
3. Open and Affirming Fairy Tales Tommy and I saw this last night at the Rarig. Loved it. Traditional, playful kids theater with an open heart. Full Review to follow.
4. Can Michael Come Out and Play Mahmoud Hakima, who brought Two Bowls of Cereal and Some Bacon to the Fringe last year is telling stories for all ages this year. This was Tommy's favorite artist at the Kids' Showcase.
5. Dracula Presented by Top Hat Theater, a kids' fringe institution. They have evolved from an entertaining group of kids doing theater for kids into a strong musical theater troupe that does original work. The cast is led by professional singer-actors Josiah Gulden and Angela Walberg.
6.Waiting for Biffy We saw this last night. The only reason it isn't higher on the list is that I know not all kids can sit through a silent show for 50 minutes. Full blog post to follow.
7. If the Shoe Fits at the Southern. We also saw the show last night so I can guarantee it is suitable for all ages. There was a three year old sitting near us having the time of his life. Cute as a button, I think the little guy thought he was in the show. An energetic example of theater for kids by kids.
8. Benny the Illusion We enjoyed this young man's magic tricks and interactions with the crowd at the Kids' Fringe Showcase this year. He also defeated the noisy cappucinno maker at the Woodbury library. As an added bonus, this show is at Bryant Lake Bowl. Come early or stay late for some bowling.
9. Fartosaurus Rex It has farting AND dinosaurs. What more could a kid ask for?
10. Kill Will (12 and up) "Murder. Revenge. Suicide. Cannibalism. The new Tarantino movie? No, it's Shakespeare! A riotous romp through the canon that asks, "How many characters can you kill in one hour?" It doesn't sound like a kid's show, but I have older kids. Their artist's page describes the violence level as "“The Three Stooges” with swords." Like hiding vegetables in your children's artificial canned ravioli-like lunch product, Kill Will slips some Shakespeare into their theater diet.
Here are my Top 10 Picks for Family Friendly Fringing (remember-the beauty of the Fringe is that is an unjuried festival; I have not seen these shows in their entirety).
1. Princess Jessica and the Kingdom of Boogers Because of this video. Brought to you by the guys from Lick, perhaps the last year's most juvenile adult show.
2. Story Time Bomb Improv for kids. My favorite 3 minutes of Fringe-for-All 2 at the Ritz.
3. Open and Affirming Fairy Tales Tommy and I saw this last night at the Rarig. Loved it. Traditional, playful kids theater with an open heart. Full Review to follow.
4. Can Michael Come Out and Play Mahmoud Hakima, who brought Two Bowls of Cereal and Some Bacon to the Fringe last year is telling stories for all ages this year. This was Tommy's favorite artist at the Kids' Showcase.
5. Dracula Presented by Top Hat Theater, a kids' fringe institution. They have evolved from an entertaining group of kids doing theater for kids into a strong musical theater troupe that does original work. The cast is led by professional singer-actors Josiah Gulden and Angela Walberg.
6.Waiting for Biffy We saw this last night. The only reason it isn't higher on the list is that I know not all kids can sit through a silent show for 50 minutes. Full blog post to follow.
7. If the Shoe Fits at the Southern. We also saw the show last night so I can guarantee it is suitable for all ages. There was a three year old sitting near us having the time of his life. Cute as a button, I think the little guy thought he was in the show. An energetic example of theater for kids by kids.
8. Benny the Illusion We enjoyed this young man's magic tricks and interactions with the crowd at the Kids' Fringe Showcase this year. He also defeated the noisy cappucinno maker at the Woodbury library. As an added bonus, this show is at Bryant Lake Bowl. Come early or stay late for some bowling.
9. Fartosaurus Rex It has farting AND dinosaurs. What more could a kid ask for?
10. Kill Will (12 and up) "Murder. Revenge. Suicide. Cannibalism. The new Tarantino movie? No, it's Shakespeare! A riotous romp through the canon that asks, "How many characters can you kill in one hour?" It doesn't sound like a kid's show, but I have older kids. Their artist's page describes the violence level as "“The Three Stooges” with swords." Like hiding vegetables in your children's artificial canned ravioli-like lunch product, Kill Will slips some Shakespeare into their theater diet.
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