Review of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at Adventure Theatre
by Margo Osborne
November 26, 2008
7300 MacArthur Boulevard
Glen Echo, MD 20812
301.634.2270
Google Map
Top Ten Reasons to Treat Your Kids to this Performance:
10. Our Kids highly recommends The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. It is an overall entertaining and fun performance for children and parents alike. Adventure Theatre recommends this performance, which is less than 45 minutes for kindergarteners through sixth graders. A majority of the children in the theatre were five years of age and younger, all of whom appeared to understand and thoroughly enjoy the show. A new feature on Adventure Theatre's website allows visitors to preview a two-minute video, which shows performance excerpts.
9. In addition to being an overall entertaining and fun performance, the classic story of good versus evil in the land of Narnia is simply told. Those who have the read the book and/or watched the two plus-hour movie are aware it is an action-packed story, which involves mature themes, such as death. The director, Steven Scott Mazzola, did a perfect job with simple storytelling, which left the scary elements to the imagination literally “behind the wardrobe.” Our Kids feels this production was even appropriate for our near four year-old reviewer.
8. Danny Pushkin. Just one of two actors in this play, he plays five different roles: Peter, Mr. Tumnus, Edmond, Mr. Beaver and Aslan. Pushkin played all of these roles with sheer ease and perfection. Although he was never out of breath, this review team is still out of breath from watching his exquisite and exhausting performance.
7. Kristen Egermeier. She plays five different roles as well: Lucy, the White Witch, the Wolf, Dwarf and Susan. Engermeier was unbelievable in all of her roles, but she magically walked the fine line of doing the White Witch justice while not overdoing “her” to the point of scaring the children.
6. The unique use of props and costumes allowed these actors to transform seamlessly and quickly into the ten different characters. The three-panel minimal set, minimal lighting effects, minimal music, one mobile wardrobe and two wooden boxes allow these characters to come to life.
5. A performance at Adventure Theatre is always an intimate experience with the characters and nearly always includes audience participation. The actors did a fabulous job of including the audience by inquisition and asking for high fives. The only disappointment is the actors not meeting or taking pictures with the audience or signing autographs following the show as they have done in the past. It was also surprising to see only 1/3 of the seats occupied in this rather small venue.
4. The performance includes an unexpected puppet show as well. Not only are these two performers skilled in their acting trade, but they are also talented puppeteers. Are you out of breath yet?
3. Birthday parties, special events and camps are main attractions at Adventure Theatre. There are three birthday party packages from which to choose and the “red carpet” treatment is truly given to these groups. An autographed poster, front row seating and cast birthday wishes are just a few of the perks. An upcoming special event is their Winter Open House on December 13, and Spring Break Camp will take place April 6 – 10.
2. Visitors can use the opportunity to explore Historic Glen Echo Park. Although many Glen Echo Park attractions are closed during the winter months, the Arcade Complex is open and surprisingly fun-filled. Beautiful artwork is on display and your children can watch a short black and white video of exciting images of the Park’s past, including the Crystal pool and amusement rides. Your children can also take pictures in an antique bumper car and pretend they are from the 1920s smashing into other bumper cars! Park Ranger Sam could not have been nicer. He encouraged our group to watch the video, and even unlocked the doors to the closed Dentzel Carousel for a private viewing of the 88 year-old carousel and its gorgeous and vibrant wood hand-carved animals.
1. It is the ideal opportunity to check out Adventure Theatre’s talent as they have proven to be “tops” in D.C.-area children’s theatre. They have some exciting performances lined up for the upcoming months. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe will be on tour December 1 – 12, and will return to Round House Theatre in Silver Spring, MD from December 15 – 21. Frosty the Snowman runs from December 5 – January 4, and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie will run February 20 – March 30.
Additional comments:
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe ended its Adventure Theatre run on November 25th. The production will run at Round House Theatre from December 15 – 21.
Purchase tickets online or call the box office directly at 301-634-2270. Tickets are $10/person.
Have you see The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe? What's your opinion? Just drop us a note and Our Kids will add your comments to this review.
