There
is wonder afoot on the west side for children as Magic Flute spins its web
around everyone, from toddlers on up, at Talespinner Children’s Theatre.
Adapted
from the Mozart opera by Anne McEvoy, this one-hour production features all
kinds of kid-pleasing elements: audience participation, colorful costumes,
captivating performances, inventive set pieces and a story that’s pretty easy
to follow.
In
this much condensed and child-friendly telling, the bird catcher Papageno is
talked into portraying a prince by the three ladies who attend the nasty Queen
of the Night. When Papageno is confronted by the Queen, she makes him go
through tests (much against her sensible husband’s Sorastro’s wishes) until,
with the aid of his flute, he wins the day. And the Queen discovers happiness.
Under
Alison Garrigan’s lilting direction, the actors find many ways to entice and
attract their youthful audience. Troy Bruchwalski is handsome and quite funny
as Papageno, aided at times by his dedicated gal pal Papagena (an adorable Lauren
B. Smith).
Michael
Regnier lends heft to the wise Sorastro and the three ladies (Elaine Feagler,
Tania Benites and Charles Hargrave) chirp and mince about with amusing deftness.
The only character that doesn’t quite come across clearly is Monostatos
(Hargrave again), Sorastro’s aide of sorts.
But
all is saved by Heather Stout’s Queen, a sneering stack of grimaces and
complaints until Papageno’s magic flute tames her serpent and she mellows out
in bliss.
It’s
a happy ending that is well earned, and one that should please all little kids (and
their wranglers) who attend this fanciful flight.
Magic
Flute
Through
December 23 at Talespinner Children’s Theatre, the Reinberger Auditorium, 5209
Detroit Ave., 216-264-9680
No comments:
Post a Comment