The FoilKids and I went to Adventure Theatre in Glen Echo Maryland to see The Red Balloon, which is playing through June 13.* This was a crazy hectic weekend, and DG had a global thermonuclear meltdown both before and after the show, but aside from my offspring's behavior (which really was the result of extreme exhaustion), the show was a delight.
First off, I checked what the tickets would have cost if I had purchased them: $12 per child, $15 per adult. So it would have cost $39 for the three of us to attend. That's less than we paid this spring to go see How to Train Your Dragon in 3D at the earliest (cheapest) matinee. Second, the show was about an hour long, which was the perfect length for DG (age five). She got fidgety anyway, but that was probably because before the 4 p.m. show, we had gone ice skating, attending a class of TG's, to the library, and something else that I have now forgotten, so she was worn out.
My biggest concern was that TG would be bored, as it seem that this play would be aimed more at DG's demographic than TG's. I was wrong.
My concerns regarding length, enjoyableness for both a ten-year old and a five-year old were completely unnecessary. The show was a delight. The acting was great, the set design was beautiful, and both my girls were delighted. Danny Pushkin and Daniel Mori were truly great as Albert and the balloon's puppeteer. DG was astounded to learn that Josh Sticklin, who played the little boy, Pascal, was actually a grownup (so good job, there). Jessica Aimone, Vishal Vaidya, and Emma Jaster were also very, very good in multiple roles. Most actors played several roles, and the speed of the costume changes was amazing.
My mind drifted a bit during the production, but mainly because I was comparing the production to the 1956 movie (which I last saw in the 1970s, I believe), but the girls were rapt and delighted, particularly with the physical humor and the broom-with-an-attitude showing Albert who was boss, and the personality of the balloon (yup). The ending scene with all the balloons of Paris showing up seemed a bit awkward to me (although I couldn't figure out how to stage it any better), but the girls were just entranced.
We had a great time, and added to that great time was the pre-play ride on the carousel (twice actually) and time spent climbing in the park. I was not very familiar with the park before this, and now I am a fan of Adventure Theatre and Glen Echo Park.
*Full disclosure: I was given comp (free) tickets to the show by Adventure Theatre with the condition that I write a review of the show.
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5 comments:
Yes, Adventure Theatre does some really nice work, and it usually doesn't come across as dumbed down. A nice way to introduce children to live theatre.
Is that the play of the French film of the same name?
I'm guessing not......
Anon: I was really quite impressed.
Mr. Cat: It actually is. With dialog in French and English (completely dissing the almost wordless film, but in a play for kids the dialog really is necessary). The balloon had its own puppeteer and quite an attitude.
This post is another reminder that even bad theater beats good television... and good theater, well, it's not even in the same neighborhood as television.
RR: That's the sickest (and for me, best) thing about this. I got the tickets free of charge. But if I had paid for them, they would have cost less that me taking my girls to Shrek Forever After 3D, even at the cheap matinee. I don't do that often (budget, y'know), but it's shocking to me that live theater, especially good live theater is less expensive.
It makes it easier to recommend, even though I know there aren't that many single mothers who can drop $39 for less than an afternoon's entertainment for their children. I lucked out.
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