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Sublime silliness for kids of all ages
‘Stinky Cheese Man’ at the Arden
There's a Renaissance happening, and no one seems to notice. It's in theater for children, which has been elevated to first-class professional status though the efforts of some of Philadelphia’s major regional theaters — including the Arden Theatre Company, whose annual spring production for younger kids is once again not only fun and diverting but also intelligently produced and brilliantly acted by an accomplished team.
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, adapted by John Glore from the Caldecott Award-winning book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, is Into the Woods for the preschool set: Familiar tales are warped, fractured, and often given comically cynical endings. The Ugly Duckling grows up to be an ugly duck. Jack's giant isn't so easily fooled. That kissy frog might not be a prince after all. The hour-long show references Little Red (Running Shorts, not Riding Hood), The Princess and the Pea (or Bowling Ball?), Chicken Licken, The Tortoise and the Hare (or, rather, Hair), and more.
Armpit spray
The Barrymore Award-winning director Matt Decker stages a high-energy, cleverly goofy production with a fun ensemble. Doug Hara plays Jack and tries to narrate the collection of ten tales, while Rachel Camp, Ashton Carter, Scott Sheppard, and Leah Walton play dozens of human and animal characters. Michael Kiley's music draws on familiar tunes, infusing the show with a hip-hop dynamic (supported by Jenn Rose's choreography) that invites audience interaction ("When I say 'ugly,' you say 'duck'") and provides an infectious rhythm for the show's many rhymes.
Brian Sidney Bembridge's bright set consists of recycled materials, decorated with colorful plastic cups and jugs, underscoring an environmentally conscious theme. Jillian Keys was inventively resourceful with the costumes as well: She fashioned Rumplestiltskin's ruffled collar from shopping bags and Cinderella's dresses from literal kitchen rags. But Keys also created a lumpy Cheese Man costume that exudes visible Stink spray from its armpits. Christopher Haig's props are similarly inspired, and Maria Shaplin's lighting propels the show, which never flags or sags.
Much of the show's humor is gently scatological, particularly a running "cow patty" joke and the title character's scent problem. Parents may shake their heads disapprovingly (while laughing). But kids love it.
Barrymore suggestion
Despite great productions like this — which often prove big sellers — children's theater remains the stage's Rodney Dangerfield: In decades past, it was left to interns to produce cheap shows for the kiddies. But now that companies like the Arden commit to enlisting first-team talents and investing mainstage resources in children's theater, more attention must be paid.
Children's theater isn't just an afternoon diversion for harried parents and rammy kids; it’s also a training ground for theater's future audiences. It’s great fun for adults, too.
Maybe it’s time for Theatre Philadelphia’s Barrymore Awards to create a separate award for "Outstanding Children's Production.” Shows like The Stinky Cheese Man currently compete in all acting and design categories (and sometimes win). But a children's play is unlikely to win a Best Play Production award against Shakespeare or the Wilma's An Octoroon, or the Best Musical Barrymore against the Arden's forthcoming mainstage production of The Secret Garden or 11th Hour Theatre Company's See What I Wanna See. (Full disclosure: This is my third year as a Barrymore Awards judge.)
Instead of pushing children's theater off to the side when we consider theater excellence, we need to celebrate its unique qualities and its importance to local companies and local audiences.
What, When, Where
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. Adapted by John Glore from the book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith; Matthew Decker directed. Through June 12, 2016 at Arden Theatre, 40 North Second St., Philadelphia. (215) 922-1122 or ardentheatre.org.
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