Review of Go, Dog. Go! at Adventure Theatre
by Caroline Holt
September 22, 2009
7300 MacArthur Boulevard
Glen Echo, MD 20812
301.634.2270
Google Map
Go, Dog. Go! at Adventure Theatre
The Fun Part
If you haven’t been to the Adventure Theatre, it’s a GREAT venue. Big bench seats, the furthest of which is maybe 10 rows from the stage. A stadium-like venue so even the back row has a great view of the costumes and faces. The acoustics are excellent and kids really feel like they are close to the action Kids in the front row may even become part of the action.
We went on opening day, so we were greeted by a VIP red carpet (and jokingly told to dress up for the next opening!), the executive director and a reminder that only a portion of AT’s revenues and operating income come from ticket sales (i.e., GIVE GENEROUSLY!)
For the show itself, we were excited to see P.D. Eastman’s canine adventures in prepositions take the stage. I was curious as to how they would make an entire show out of a book with so few words, but kids were captivated from the get go. The costumes were excellent; definitely the best I have seen at an AT show. The set was incredible: it was a cross between Romp ‘n Roll open gym in Germantown and a circus. There was a set of monkey bars with a climbing tower on each side, two hamster-like wheels that came apart into pieces to be used for climbing, for cars, and demonstrating prepositional expertise. Plus, they brought in trikes, lunchboxes and other props, each with carefully selected, vivid colors to add to the mesmerizing set.
The actors were great. The show is largely physical and somewhat slapstick comedy. They had very few lines, so all of their emotion and intention was delivered through their physical presence on stage. They climbed, jumped, moved, twisted and slept without many words. Every time I looked at my son, he was enrapt in the same way he is watching television, like there is some stronghold that form entertainment has over him that no mother can break. I was highly impressed with their agility.
The plot let a bit to be desired. Adventure Theater’s website indicates “Green, Blue, Red and Yellow Dogs sporting spots and silly hats. Jackhammers: rat-a-tat-tat. Pillow fights: yikes and a bonk. Trampolines: yippee, zoing, zing. And cars--lots and lots of cars--going vroom, zoom.” We came expecting a show jam-packed with action and excitement. The colorful pups and cars were there, but we saw no jackhammers, pillow fights or trampolines, and it was not jam packed with action. In fact, while this had a great deal of physical comedy, I found the play difficult to sit through. I struggled to keep my eyes open at one bit.
There were far to few lines and far too little music for my son’s and my taste. The show is mostly watching these agile actors climb up and climb down without much of a story line. I have never checked my watch at an AT show, but found myself doing so repeatedly. The finale song (Do You Like My Hat?) was great and completely captivating, but the songs were few and typically not as interesting as that one. As an adult, it was somewhat like watching a Baby Einstein video: you know your child is enjoying it, and you want to share in their experience, but you, yourself are not entertained.
I spoke to several children and adults after the show. The kids agreed that they loved the costumes and the set. An 8-year old told me he thought it was great and he liked it as well as other AT shows. A 4-year old told me she liked the music and outfits. My son was not as impressed. He said he liked it, but preferred Strega Nona because there was more going on. However, he did say that he wanted to climb the monkey bars on stage and thought the costumes (yellow dog and green dog, in particular) were cool. Most adults were in my camp: one expressed diplomatically that it was “a bit madcap” and two others both said something to the effect of being pleased their children enjoyed it.
So the kids enjoy it, but adults have to sit through it too. So, go dog, go. Get your tickets, and support this local circus event, but don’t lap up a cup of coffee first, or you may find yourself needing a walk during the show!
Getting There
Glen Echo Park is located in Glen Echo, Maryland on MacArthur Boulevard. It’s near the junction of Rt. 614 and MacArthur Blvd, and you can also follow signs to Clara Barton House. There is a spacious parking lot on the backside, but you have a few minutes walk to the theatre. You can also take your chances in the front lot, but most are permit only. (If you go to the back lot, the Clara Barton House is at 5801 Oxford Road in Glen Echo and will be on your right, and their visitor hours are Daily from 10am to 4pm).
According to the literature, The Adventure Theatre opened its first season in February 1952, but didn’t move to the historic Glen Echo park site until 1971. Since then, the theatre has been in continuous operation, offering seven or eight weekend plays each season.
Getting In
Go, Dog. Go! runs September 18 through November 9, 2009. Weekend performances are 11am and 1:30pm and most weekdays at 10:30am. There is an ASL performance on November 8. Tickets are $12 for children, $15 for adults and free for babies 0-12 months. Group rates are available starting with 10 people. The box office is open M-F: 9-5 and Sat/Sun: 9-2.
To get to the theatre from the back parking lot, you’ll cross over a footbridge, which overlooks an old railroad bridge and waterfall. Give yourselves a few minutes; kids congregate here in great numbers. Once you’re on the path, you’ll pass Discovery Creek Nature Center (more on that in a moment) and pass several historic Yurts for pottery, calligraphy and other arts classes. You’ll also pass the carousel (open Wednesdays & Thursdays 10-2 and Saturday & Sunday 12-6) and the Puppet Company. The theatre is the last building before the Irish Restaurant and across from the “mirror hall” dance room and a separate pavilion (which was home to a birthday party with magician when we walked past).
Getting Fed
BYO or check out their little café next to the playground. From what I could tell, there plenty of places to eat outside (there’s a great playground, lots of cool places to sit), but just a small café to pick-up drinks, ice cream treats a couple of other items.
Etc... We rode the Merry Go Round before heading back to the car. Unfortunately for my easily induced sea-sickness, you get a full 4-5 minute ride for your $1.25 per ticket (children under 6 must ride with a paying adult) complete with the most beautifully restored horses and music organ. They even have the original brass ring that riders would try to reach up to pick. For risk and liability reasons, that game is no longer available for riders today. Darn those attorneys!
We walked through the grounds of the Discovery Creek Nature Center on our way back to the car as well (they were closing). My son enjoyed the giant sandbox, climbing through the underground tunnel and looking for frogs in the pond. The indoor space is a non-profit nature museum for children 2-11. There’s a monthly educational theme, great indoor play area with tunnels, climbing area as well as microscopes by the boatloads. They cater to field trips during the week, but nature hikes, and other activities every half hour on weekends. Members are free, $5 for ages 2-65 and $3 for seniors. Open Sat/Sun 10-3.
Have you seen Go, Dog. Go! at Adventure Theatre? Drop us a note and Our Kids will add your comments to this review.
