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"Parenting 101' at Kimmel's Innovation Studi
Steve Cohen
Silly season for parents
STEVE COHEN
Philadelphia’s Cadillac Broadway Series is known for its presentation of the road companies of New York musical hits such as The Lion King, Wicked and The Producers. So it’s interesting that these producers have brought to town an intimate, small musical that’s not yet been on Broadway.
Parenting 101 is at the Kimmel Center’s Innovation Studio, and the innovation aspect deserves applause. Audiences will enjoy this comic look at the trials and tribulations of raising children, conceived by sisters Nancy Holson and Susan Holson. Familiar situations like childbirth, diaper-changing, first day of school, Little League and dating are set to familiar pop music with new lyrics by the show’s creators.
Examples: An obstetrician examines the pelvis of a pregnant mother and sings, "Your son will come out tomorrow..." The delivering mom sings, "Some day, when will my pain go?" to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," and a child being toilet-trained sings: "It’s My Potty" to the tune of Lesley Gore’s "It’s My Party."
Cute.
I would prefer more depth, however. Surprise us, astound us, move us, show us some original insight. Make previously unimagined observations about the characters, please.
I have nothing against silly humor, and I recommend such specimens as Urinetown, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and The Drowsy Chaperone. Parenting 101 is not up to that standard. Each of the recognizable family crises is resolved in predictable fashion.
A hard working cast of four takes all the roles, with the same actors alternating as children, parents and grandparents. Jeff Brooks, Amanda Danskin, Lindsay Quinn and Stephen Smith are good singers, excellent comics and are quite athletic. The orchestra is just a keyboard, drums and guitar. Costumes and sets are minimalist.
The fine performances and the clever lyrics will give parents ample reasons to chuckle. But not really to cheer.
STEVE COHEN
Philadelphia’s Cadillac Broadway Series is known for its presentation of the road companies of New York musical hits such as The Lion King, Wicked and The Producers. So it’s interesting that these producers have brought to town an intimate, small musical that’s not yet been on Broadway.
Parenting 101 is at the Kimmel Center’s Innovation Studio, and the innovation aspect deserves applause. Audiences will enjoy this comic look at the trials and tribulations of raising children, conceived by sisters Nancy Holson and Susan Holson. Familiar situations like childbirth, diaper-changing, first day of school, Little League and dating are set to familiar pop music with new lyrics by the show’s creators.
Examples: An obstetrician examines the pelvis of a pregnant mother and sings, "Your son will come out tomorrow..." The delivering mom sings, "Some day, when will my pain go?" to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," and a child being toilet-trained sings: "It’s My Potty" to the tune of Lesley Gore’s "It’s My Party."
Cute.
I would prefer more depth, however. Surprise us, astound us, move us, show us some original insight. Make previously unimagined observations about the characters, please.
I have nothing against silly humor, and I recommend such specimens as Urinetown, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and The Drowsy Chaperone. Parenting 101 is not up to that standard. Each of the recognizable family crises is resolved in predictable fashion.
A hard working cast of four takes all the roles, with the same actors alternating as children, parents and grandparents. Jeff Brooks, Amanda Danskin, Lindsay Quinn and Stephen Smith are good singers, excellent comics and are quite athletic. The orchestra is just a keyboard, drums and guitar. Costumes and sets are minimalist.
The fine performances and the clever lyrics will give parents ample reasons to chuckle. But not really to cheer.
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