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This twist on Cinderella for the youngest theatre members is sure to amuse adult audiences, too. The Grey Seal Puppets bring their usual creativity and good-natured humor to a well-known fairy tale.
In this case Cinderella (and most of the puppets) are vegetables—ingredients that belong in salsa. Of course, there is the mouse, the spoon, and the broom for variety. It’s always a wonder to see how Drew Allison can create a small world using various voices, and manage the puppets and changes by himself. The audience, even the young children, was attentive and responsive.
The festive soundtrack, composed and arranged by John Alexander is a good fit for the show, though occasionally a little too loud to hear the dialogue. The puppets are a delight with design and construction by Vania Reckard, Wendy Westbrook, and Mr. Allison.
When the show is over, Mr. Allison thanks the audience and explains the different types of puppets and shows how he works them. He also encourages children to make puppets themselves. This puppet show is an excellent way to introduce young children to theater and encourage imagination. Review by Ann Marie Oliva
Ann Marie Oliva is an award-winning local playwright with productions across the United States, a published fiction and non-fiction writer, and reviewer. She is the producer/editor of ARTS à la Mode and a judge for the National Youth Theatre Awards. Ann Marie is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America.