The Company of Wolves
and Jason Webb in Wolves in the Walls
(© Richard Campbell)
Kids and their parents should definitely make their way to the New Victory Theatre this month for the National Theater of Scotland’s production of The Wolves in the Walls (October 5-21). It’s adapted from the best-selling book by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean and, with plenty of music and awesome puppetry, should have something to entertain everybody. Later in the month, New Jersey’s own Mayhem Poets take the stage (October 26-November 4). Then, on October 30, The Night Kitchen Radio Theater offers a little Halloween treat with The Witch’s Child.
Off-Broadway at the Daryl Roth Theater, the FunkeyMonkeys begin an open run on October 14. Created by Joshua Sitron, who was once the composer for Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer, this rock band for kids play their own instruments, twist their own balloons, and make up stories with help from the audience.
Over at the Union Square Theater, you can catch the international hit Jump! There’s no talking in this martial arts show, so audiences won’t need to worry about understanding what’s being said, but there’s going to be lots of high-flying fun. The performers have been training in martial arts and acrobatics for years, so kids definitely shouldn’t try at home any of what they see on stage.
On October 26 & 27, the Abrons Art Center’s Urban Youth Theater presents selected plays from Suzan-Lori Parks’ 365 Days/365 Plays. Beginning in November 2002, Parks wrote a play a day for a year. The material is now being presented across the country as part of a year long festival and the Center is doing their share. It’s the largest collaboration in the history of American theater!
For those who can’t wait for The Little Mermaid to make a splash on Broadway, you might be able to “wet” your appetite at the Players Theatre on MacDougal Street. There, the Literally Alive Children’s Theatre is performing a musical adaptation of The Little Mermaid (October 14-December 30). The version is true to the original, written in 1837 by Hans Christian Anderson, so don’t expect Disney’s happy ending. Prior to each performance, families can participate in an arts workshop where they’ll learn some of the movement and music from the show.
For more stage adaptations of classic material, The Pushcart Players and The Jewish Museum present Peter and the Wolf on October 8, a musical adaptation of the traditional Russian folk tale about a spirited young boy who confronts danger with courage, creativity and leadership; Kingsborough Community College is performing Sleepy Hollow, the story of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman, on October 13; and on October 27, A.R.T./New York presents Perseus – The Original Superhero, based on the Greek myth.
The Looking Glass Theatre is performing The Three Sillies (October 6-November 18), about a girl who runs away to escape her silly family, only to encounter far sillier things. Finally, Tuckaberry Productions presents Polly Princess and the Penniless Fry Cook, (October 13-November 3), about a princess who, in order to retain her father’s fortune, must find a husband in the next three days… but the husband cannot be a prince. When Polly’s priorities as a princess are shaken, she is forced to reexamine her existence.
