Seattle's Child

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A Parent’s Review: Snow White at StoryBook Theater

We may have created a monster here.

Me: "Knock, knock."

Ava (age 3): "Who's there?"

Me: "Banana."

Repeat sequence three times. The last time I say "Orange."

Ava: "Orange who?"

Me: "Orange you glad I didn't say banana?"

Ava: "Silly Mrs. Reed."

So what's this got to do with Snow White? Well, the StoryBook Theater version of the classic fairy tale includes a lot of knock-knock jokes, delivered by the Dorf family, the queen's former jesters. It also includes SPAM – processed meat with 100 uses – which is the only thing Snow White knows how to cook.

Other than that, it follows the traditional storyline with a wicked queen jealous of her stepdaughter's beauty, a talking mirror, a bumbling huntsman and a prince who's always wanted to ask Snow White out. It's packed with catchy songs that keep the young audience clapping and features Storybook's usual audience participation.

It opens delightfully with an animated talking and singing mirror and a strident queen (Deonn Ritchie Hunt) asking the audience whether outward beauty isn't the most important thing. The mirror argues that Snow White's kind heart is much more important than her physical beauty. Deanna Sarkar is a sprightly, bouncy Snow White in a blue and yellow dress and flipped-up black hair reminiscent of the Disney movie. She exudes optimism, kindliness and goofiness. ("But no sparkle," Ava noted, thinking that all princesses should have sparkly dresses.)

Once the short-sighted, bumbling huntsman drops Snow White off in the forest – obviously unable to kill her as the queen asked – the young lady encounters the silly Dorf family and agrees to clean and cook for them in exchange for a place to stay. The Dorfs' gymnastics and interplay are fun, but, unfortunately, many of the "knock-knock" jokes are delivered so quickly that it's difficult for the audience to catch them. (They're better when Snow White is involved because then we can hear the words more clearly.)

The queen turns up in an old-hag costume and peddles the traditional poison apple with some funny variations I won't divulge, and the somewhat updated prince from the neighboring kingdom gives a chaste kiss to awaken Snow White. Apparently, they'd exchanged knock-knock jokes when they were children, and always liked each other.

All of the actors do a brilliant job, including Sierra Kagen, Andrew Murray and Simon Pringle, nimbly switching between the roles of the mirror, the huntsman and the seven Dorfs. Susan Bardsley wrote the lyrics to the catchy songs, plays the piano and introduces the play.

Storybook Theater productions, which always open with a large cardboard storybook being opened on stage, are a great introduction to live theater for young children. Snow White is recommended for kids 3 and older. I think Ava, at 3, might have been a bit young for the verbal repartee and many of the cultural references, but she was engaged with the singing and dancing. Children 4 to 6 years old will enjoy it the most, but it's got plenty to keep the 7- and 8-year-olds involved and laughing.

To enhance the experience, I suggest fixing a lunch with SPAM. And be prepared to exchange a few "knock-knock" jokes.

 

IF YOU GO

Where: Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland, and Everett PUD Auditorium, 2340 California St., Everett.

When: Through May 18. In Kirkland: Saturdays and Sundays, April 26 and 27 and May 3 and 4, 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (ASL interpreted on May 4). In Everett: Sundays, May 11, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and May 18, 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Cost: $10 all ages.

Coming up: The next season of Storybook Theater runs October 2014 through May 2015 with Hansel and Gretel, The Elves and the Toymaker, Cinderella and The Ugly Duckling.

Contact: 425-820-1800; www.storybooktheater.org.


Wenda Reed is a Bothell writer and theater-lover.

About the Author

Wenda Reed