Northwest Children’s Theater
April 14, 2005
Footloose
“When a big-city teenager moves to the rural town of Bomont, he finds a community torn apart by an ordinance that bans rock music and makes dancing a crime.” It’ll be fun to see kids get into rock musical – though coolest thing may be this summer's air-conditioned venue at ART.
Frankenstein
“Issues of scientific responsibility collide as a young medical student breaks the boundaries of human limitations, creates life from dead tissue, and pays the ultimate price.” Perfect for a children’s theater in this day and age — seriously — the use of Halloween’s goulish guise to talk about moral implications of science.
Peter Pan
“Wendy, John and Michael are whisked away to a dazzling Neverland where pirates scheme, mermaids dream and children ever grow up.” Another good choice, assuming NWCT puts the right substance in their fairy dust and really fleshes out the fantasy. I haven’t seen previous incarnations, so maybe they already have.
A Year with Frog and Toad
“Tony award-winning musical that follows the cheerful and popular Frog, and the rather grumpy Toad, through four fun-filled seasons of friendship and gently joy.” I’m unfamiliar with this title, but it’ll star Leif Norby, John Monteverde as amphibious pals, so it probably won’t croak, except where it is supposed to.
Bugsy Malone
“Those pie-flinging, pinstripe wearing, pint-sized Prohibition mobsters come roaring onto the stage in this irresistible tongue-in-cheek tribute to 1920s gangster flicks.” Umm … teen-age gin-drinking machine-gun mobsters breaking the law … Several problems here, the least of which are the return of baby-faced tap-dancers from last summer’s Crazy for You.
Seussical, the Musical
“The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, and all of the Whos in Whoville are lovingly brought to life in this fantastical, magical menagerie fresh from the Broadway stage.” I haven’t seen this, but sounds like perfect musical fantasy for young and old – with potential cameos by local celebs.
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3 comments:
FOOTLOOSE - Should be fun and thank God for moving it to ART. I really liked Crazy for You, but I thought I was going to pass otu from the heat!
FRANKENSTEIN - Have never seen a stage adaptation. Will be interesting to see how it works out.
PETER PAN - This is the RSC version from the mid-80's, adapted by Trevor Nunn and John Caird. The sets are fantastic, very elaborate. The last time they did it I was a bit underwhelmed by the Peter, but overall it was lovely. If they get the right kids for the leads, this could be great.
FROG AND TOAD - I reall enjoy the music for this. Great 30's jazz score.
BUGSY MALONE - Unlike Crazy for You, this was written to be performed by young kids. I believer there is actually a movie of it with a 13 year old Jodie Foster.
SEUSSICAL - Great score and a lot of potential for fun.
While encouraged to learn Bugsy Malone was written for kids, I'm still skeptical of glorifying, sanitizing noir mobster movies in vehicle especially for kids. Dealing with gun horrors is one thing; turning guns into pie-shooting toys another. Still have bad gut feeling, but willing to admit if I should be wrong.
Bugsy Malone is very tongue-in-cheek. The characters freeze when hit with a pie and then walk off stage as if it was just a game of freeze tag. The guns also shoot silly string, and kids swing yo-yo's while waiting. Why don't you go see it for youself.
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