Mutant Squad, presented by the Young Artists Council of the Youth Performance Company, is a fresh take on the "for teens by teens" category. Nick Clark's script is original and quirky. The plot has surprising little twists and turns. And the origin story of the Mutant is a hoot. Mutant Squad is a funny, witty comedy that never talks down to its audience.
The ensemble work is strong. All four members of the Mutant Squad play well off of each other. Axl (the role is double cast; I'm not sure which actor we saw tonight) is the ad hoc leader of the mutant hunters. He wants to be the hero and save the day. The actor does a good job of showing the vulnerability behind the swagger. Winona (Kiana Adams, with excellent comic timing) is the goth girl with the heart of gold. Walter(Koby Feldman) is the funny best friend. The fourth squad member, Po (Kaitlyn Andrews), is a Japanese or Japanese-American 6th grade boy who speaks with a broken English accent.
I did not understand why Po was played by a girl. Yes, the nerdy Japanese boy was a stock 80's character. Yes, I understand that the intent is to satirize the 80's, not the Japanese. But the cross-casting and cheesy accent made the execution of that intent murky at best and offensive at worst.
The trio of toughs were just as funny as the mutants.
The costume design adds a lot to the show. I don't want to spoil the wonderful weirdness of the Mutant costume so I won't describe it here. The late 80's/early 90's period costumes (I feel old!) helped define the characters.
FYI, the show, recommended for ages 10 and up, is loaded with language and innuendo (and a penis joke) that might make some ten-year-olds (and their parents) uncomfortable. The bullies do a lot of crotch grabbing and name-calling. My eleven year old had no problem with it. He laughed throughout the entire show.
By the way, Mutant Squad is playing at the Theatre Garage, which is being sponsored by Play by Play theater book Store and opening night gifts. They have tables set up. Check out the books and gifts and enter the drawing.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
In Another's Size
In Another's Size, a play created and performed by the students of Stepping Stone Theatre's year long training program with Joseph Scrimshaw, is an inventive interpretation of the age old battle of the High School Stereotypes. The framework of the story is simple: each teen (at John Hughes High!) knows their individual role in the social order. An incident in the cafeteria leaves them "Freaky Friday-ed" and chaos ensues. Like any good 80's sitcom, they learn something about themselves in the process.
Because of the body swap, each young actor plays two different roles. The cast does an excellent job using their gestures, voices, and bodies to create clearly contrasting characters.
The show is anchored by Brian Kelly, the only adult in the show, as the nameless, under-appreciated Lunch Lady. Think Julia Child, the Church Lady, and Professor McGonagall rolled into one funny person. (He also plays bit parts as the health teacher, gym teacher, and the choir teacher.) His catch phase "Did you? Did you?" has already entered our family lexicon.
This show is a great choice for 6-12 year olds who enjoy the Disney Channel/Nickelodeon tween sitcoms. I felt the show deserved a bigger audience-5:30 Thursday evening is a tough time to get to a family show. But there are still 4 shows left!
Because of the body swap, each young actor plays two different roles. The cast does an excellent job using their gestures, voices, and bodies to create clearly contrasting characters.
The show is anchored by Brian Kelly, the only adult in the show, as the nameless, under-appreciated Lunch Lady. Think Julia Child, the Church Lady, and Professor McGonagall rolled into one funny person. (He also plays bit parts as the health teacher, gym teacher, and the choir teacher.) His catch phase "Did you? Did you?" has already entered our family lexicon.
This show is a great choice for 6-12 year olds who enjoy the Disney Channel/Nickelodeon tween sitcoms. I felt the show deserved a bigger audience-5:30 Thursday evening is a tough time to get to a family show. But there are still 4 shows left!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Fringe For All 2009-Part 1
Fringe for All #2 is tonight at the Ritz Theater. The box office opens at 6:00. The price of admission is a $4 purchase of a snazzy new 2009 Fringe Button (with a picture of the newly christened "Wobbles the Cat". )
Kids' Fringe and Musicals were well represented at Fringe for All #1 last week. During the intermission I was regretting that I did not bring the boys. When the lights came up on part 2, the cast of Best Little Crackhouse in Philly (or Crackwhore!:the Musical) made me feel better about my choice.
The show opened with Youth Performance Company's The Mutant Squad. This is theater by teens, for teens. They performed a rap that introduced the mutants. I look forward to seeing this show. Also, check out the added content on their artists page.
Four Humors Theater's adaptation of Sideways Stories from the Wayside School has been on our list since the schedule went live. Tommy read the book and is curious about how they "turn it into a show." The excerpt was very funny, but you don't need to take my word for it. The entire three minute performance is on their artist's page.
More to come!
Kids' Fringe and Musicals were well represented at Fringe for All #1 last week. During the intermission I was regretting that I did not bring the boys. When the lights came up on part 2, the cast of Best Little Crackhouse in Philly (or Crackwhore!:the Musical) made me feel better about my choice.
The show opened with Youth Performance Company's The Mutant Squad. This is theater by teens, for teens. They performed a rap that introduced the mutants. I look forward to seeing this show. Also, check out the added content on their artists page.
Four Humors Theater's adaptation of Sideways Stories from the Wayside School has been on our list since the schedule went live. Tommy read the book and is curious about how they "turn it into a show." The excerpt was very funny, but you don't need to take my word for it. The entire three minute performance is on their artist's page.
More to come!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Robin Hood the Musical
Robin Hood the Musical! succeeds at "the Musical" but fails at "Robin Hood". Strong performances and skilled singing save the show from a formulaic story.
The goal of the script seems to be to ensure every cast member is given a moment in the spotlight, whether it has any bearing on the story of Robin Hood or not. Crammed into the fifty minute Fringe time slot, most of the plot is rushed through. The transitions are abrupt, and all of the problems are solved in about sixty seconds during a sudden wedding scene. There isn't enough action. This would be fine for a class show that was being presented for friends and family. But a ticket holder spending $12 a ticket to see a musical about Robin Hood will be disappointed.
That said, my son really enjoyed the show. The ensemble shines. The kids in the show radiate the joy of theater. Everyone on stage is having fun and it transfers to the audience.
The are many strong performances in the show. Larry J. Evans as King Richard lends gravitas to the proceedings. Basso profundo John-Scott Moir is a deliciously evil Prince John. Little Sophia Russell as "Kid" is cute as a button. Martino Mayotte and Siri Hellerman as Alan A. Dale and his love Alice could have sustained their own show. Mayotte has a lyric soaring voice and Hellerman has sharp comic instincts.
Robin Hood(Grant Hauptman) and Marian(Valerie Roder) have a moving eleventh hour love duet. Roder's voice has a beautiful shimmer and easy top notes.
The goal of the script seems to be to ensure every cast member is given a moment in the spotlight, whether it has any bearing on the story of Robin Hood or not. Crammed into the fifty minute Fringe time slot, most of the plot is rushed through. The transitions are abrupt, and all of the problems are solved in about sixty seconds during a sudden wedding scene. There isn't enough action. This would be fine for a class show that was being presented for friends and family. But a ticket holder spending $12 a ticket to see a musical about Robin Hood will be disappointed.
That said, my son really enjoyed the show. The ensemble shines. The kids in the show radiate the joy of theater. Everyone on stage is having fun and it transfers to the audience.
The are many strong performances in the show. Larry J. Evans as King Richard lends gravitas to the proceedings. Basso profundo John-Scott Moir is a deliciously evil Prince John. Little Sophia Russell as "Kid" is cute as a button. Martino Mayotte and Siri Hellerman as Alan A. Dale and his love Alice could have sustained their own show. Mayotte has a lyric soaring voice and Hellerman has sharp comic instincts.
Robin Hood(Grant Hauptman) and Marian(Valerie Roder) have a moving eleventh hour love duet. Roder's voice has a beautiful shimmer and easy top notes.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Snip, Snap, Snute
The message I took away from Snip, Snap, Snute: A new musical for children is be fearful of people you don't know. People who wear matching red wool vests are good and trolls with messy hair and dingy clothes are bad. If you are red vest person, like the farmer, who gets stuck with a messy-haired, dingy-clothed daughter, make sure you make her feel like a loser. Even though she is smart and spirited tell her she can't do things because she's just a girl. By the same token, if you are a troll-ma, be certain to let your sweet-voiced daughter know that she is worthless because she can't burp like a troll. The two young girls-the changelings- get a "happy" ending that is telegraphed the minute you first meet their characters.
Musically, the show is engaging. John Mattesich on guitar and Russ King on keyboard kept a firm foundation under the singers and kept things rollicking along. I enjoyed the vocal writing as well. "Goat for Supper" and "Human Bean for Supper" were sharp and witty. The quartet of trolls (Cory Anderson, Nikolas Soll, Johnny Charon, plus Daniel Olson as the troll ma) were hilarious.
Unfortunately, I could not get past the message of the show.
Musically, the show is engaging. John Mattesich on guitar and Russ King on keyboard kept a firm foundation under the singers and kept things rollicking along. I enjoyed the vocal writing as well. "Goat for Supper" and "Human Bean for Supper" were sharp and witty. The quartet of trolls (Cory Anderson, Nikolas Soll, Johnny Charon, plus Daniel Olson as the troll ma) were hilarious.
Unfortunately, I could not get past the message of the show.
Tommy's Top 10
Every year Tommy compiles a list of his favorite shows for the fringe website. This year he has broken his personal attendance record. He has seen eleven shows in four days. He only has two official kid's shows to see-A Royal Birthday Mess, which opens tonight, and Ars Longa, vita brevis. So here is Citizen Journalist Tommy:
"Thanks, Mom. I'm going to do a top ten list(as the title informs). Most of these are kid's shows, by the way, so you take the kids along too."
10. Maggie's Magical Cat and Other Catastrophes
"Clearly, this is a girls show. All the actors are girls, there's girl themes, yada yada yada. Overall, it's a fun experience, but I clearly recommend this for girls. Plus, did I mention that all of the cast shares memories of grade school?"
9. PieRats: The Crusade for Peaches Cobbler
"This play ranks a little over the middle. The story is okay, with good plot twists, but doesn't have enough humor(although there are lots of gags, most of them are running gags of shutting up Clueless Willie) Overall, it's a 'just for fun' show."
8. Frizzabelle and the Circus
"The show's climax, which is the circus performing, is one of the best scenes I've seen at the Fringe. The story and acting is good, there's good comedy, and it's, overall, a great show.
7. The Legend of Little Bad: Not Her Father's Fairytale
"This is one of those shows where everything is great! The only scene that lags is one about two 'not-so-handsome' princes, but everything else gives a smile."
6. Shakespeare's Land of the Dead
"I....WANT....MORE....ZOMBIES!!!!! This show, about an occurrence of the fictional Elizabethan Zombie Plague, is funny, a little scary, and filled with....duh, zombies! However, this show is NOT FOR KIDS."
5. The Supercilious Ways of Walter Wading
"This show, aimed at the little guys, has simple all over it. Simple fun, simple story, simply great! The acting is superb, the scene at the beginning is excellent, and it's extreme fun. Go see it, NOW!"
4. Silent Poetry - A Tribute to Marcel Marceau
"Shhh....it's Silent Poetry, and it's GREAT! Hilarity and heart are present in the show, with humorous bits such as 'Jack*** The Mime', 'The Creation of the World' and my personal favorite, 'A Day at the Church'(you'll see why) Young kids may not understand what he's doing. Recommended for ages 9+."
3. Robin Hood The Musical
"The best musical I've seen at the Fringe! Great songs fill up the show, and it gives a smile in your face. Also, Robin Hood has a girl who's kind of like a daughter, and she's just cute! There are a few cons, though. The story's a bit mashed, the sound system had problems, and songs come and go a little too fast. Still, this is a must see!"
2. An Inconvenient Squirrel
"This....is PURE COMEDY! Excellent story, excellent acting, excellent humor. The costumes are funny as well. You should GO SEE IT NOW!!!!!!"
1. Fools For Love
"Best....Fringe....Show....EVER!!!!!! This is FLAWLESS!!!!!!!!! Humor, heart, acting, story, fun....IT'S PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Thanks, Mom. I'm going to do a top ten list(as the title informs). Most of these are kid's shows, by the way, so you take the kids along too."
10. Maggie's Magical Cat and Other Catastrophes
"Clearly, this is a girls show. All the actors are girls, there's girl themes, yada yada yada. Overall, it's a fun experience, but I clearly recommend this for girls. Plus, did I mention that all of the cast shares memories of grade school?"
9. PieRats: The Crusade for Peaches Cobbler
"This play ranks a little over the middle. The story is okay, with good plot twists, but doesn't have enough humor(although there are lots of gags, most of them are running gags of shutting up Clueless Willie) Overall, it's a 'just for fun' show."
8. Frizzabelle and the Circus
"The show's climax, which is the circus performing, is one of the best scenes I've seen at the Fringe. The story and acting is good, there's good comedy, and it's, overall, a great show.
7. The Legend of Little Bad: Not Her Father's Fairytale
"This is one of those shows where everything is great! The only scene that lags is one about two 'not-so-handsome' princes, but everything else gives a smile."
6. Shakespeare's Land of the Dead
"I....WANT....MORE....ZOMBIES!!!!! This show, about an occurrence of the fictional Elizabethan Zombie Plague, is funny, a little scary, and filled with....duh, zombies! However, this show is NOT FOR KIDS."
5. The Supercilious Ways of Walter Wading
"This show, aimed at the little guys, has simple all over it. Simple fun, simple story, simply great! The acting is superb, the scene at the beginning is excellent, and it's extreme fun. Go see it, NOW!"
4. Silent Poetry - A Tribute to Marcel Marceau
"Shhh....it's Silent Poetry, and it's GREAT! Hilarity and heart are present in the show, with humorous bits such as 'Jack*** The Mime', 'The Creation of the World' and my personal favorite, 'A Day at the Church'(you'll see why) Young kids may not understand what he's doing. Recommended for ages 9+."
3. Robin Hood The Musical
"The best musical I've seen at the Fringe! Great songs fill up the show, and it gives a smile in your face. Also, Robin Hood has a girl who's kind of like a daughter, and she's just cute! There are a few cons, though. The story's a bit mashed, the sound system had problems, and songs come and go a little too fast. Still, this is a must see!"
2. An Inconvenient Squirrel
"This....is PURE COMEDY! Excellent story, excellent acting, excellent humor. The costumes are funny as well. You should GO SEE IT NOW!!!!!!"
1. Fools For Love
"Best....Fringe....Show....EVER!!!!!! This is FLAWLESS!!!!!!!!! Humor, heart, acting, story, fun....IT'S PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Sunday-Fringe Day 4
We took the light rail train to Bedlam (Fringe Central) today. We saw two shows and Mixed Blood and then walked to the Rarig for the third. We headed back to Bedlam where we enjoyed the Best Ice Cream Sandwiches Ever! Then we hopped back on the train and came home.
Our first show was Silent Poetry-a Tribute to Marcel Marceau. Dean Holt is amazing. I don't have the vocabulary to describe mime from a technical standpoint. I just know that we enjoyed every moment of this show. It was fifty minutes of pure storytelling-without words. Definitely a five kitty show.
Next we saw PieRats:The Crusade for Peaches Cobbler. Although the script was clever the production felt under-rehearsed. There were transitions where you could see the cast thinking "what comes next?". Kyle Conner as the pie maker frequently broke character. The story had some great bits. William Bradshaw as Blind Bart with his "evil pocket dog" Jolly Rodger-Rita" had the audience in stitches.
I also question the wisdom of opening the show with an off-color joke: A pirate walks into a bar with a steering wheel down his trousers. The bartender says "do you know there's a steering wheel down your trousers" to which the pirate replies "it's drivin' me nuts!"
I'm no prude. My kids are older and I have no problem with it. The joke is funny. But I don't know many familes who take their pre-schooler to a pirate play to hear jokes about men's junk.
Our final play was John Heimbuch's Shakespeare's Land of the Dead. This is not a show intended for kids but Tommy really wanted to see this one. He enjoyed it but much of it flew over his head. He wanted more zombie action.
I loved it. The script was witty and tight and the cast was superb. I would love to see this play extended to a full-length show. If anything, I think the zombies should be more terrifying.
We are taking tomorrow off from fringing. I still have 3 shows left to review.
Our first show was Silent Poetry-a Tribute to Marcel Marceau. Dean Holt is amazing. I don't have the vocabulary to describe mime from a technical standpoint. I just know that we enjoyed every moment of this show. It was fifty minutes of pure storytelling-without words. Definitely a five kitty show.
Next we saw PieRats:The Crusade for Peaches Cobbler. Although the script was clever the production felt under-rehearsed. There were transitions where you could see the cast thinking "what comes next?". Kyle Conner as the pie maker frequently broke character. The story had some great bits. William Bradshaw as Blind Bart with his "evil pocket dog" Jolly Rodger-Rita" had the audience in stitches.
I also question the wisdom of opening the show with an off-color joke: A pirate walks into a bar with a steering wheel down his trousers. The bartender says "do you know there's a steering wheel down your trousers" to which the pirate replies "it's drivin' me nuts!"
I'm no prude. My kids are older and I have no problem with it. The joke is funny. But I don't know many familes who take their pre-schooler to a pirate play to hear jokes about men's junk.
Our final play was John Heimbuch's Shakespeare's Land of the Dead. This is not a show intended for kids but Tommy really wanted to see this one. He enjoyed it but much of it flew over his head. He wanted more zombie action.
I loved it. The script was witty and tight and the cast was superb. I would love to see this play extended to a full-length show. If anything, I think the zombies should be more terrifying.
We are taking tomorrow off from fringing. I still have 3 shows left to review.
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