This fall, Recess Monkey brings its high-energy album Deep Sea Diver to life through Tambourine Submarine at Teatro ZinZanni. This is the rock band trio’s second collaboration with Teatro, and the most polished kids’ show I’ve had the pleasure to see at the theater. With a superb cast that includes experienced artists, young performers and Seattle’s beloved kindie rockers, Tambourine Submarine takes the entire family on an uproarious ocean adventure.
Teatro ZinZanni and Recess Monkey have crafted a show well suited to young audience members. Children get front seats to the show on the floor in front of the stage, in an area the ushers affectionately refer to as the “mosh pit.” But don’t worry – Teatro ZinZanni’s helpful staff is also on the floor, making sure kids stay out of the performers’ paths and ready to direct them back to their parents’ seats if needed.
The moment Recess Monkey playfully took the stage and belted out the first notes of “Tambourine Submarine,” the circus tent started hopping as the floor came alive with happy, bouncing kids. When the performers stepped into the spotlight to the accompaniment of the band, all heads turned to the center of the tent in wide-eyed amazement. After the graceful performance of the Sea Goddess, played by Ariana Lallone, I could hear my 4-year-old say, “Wow!” all the way from the center of the theater.
As the Sea Goddess helped the hapless ship captain and his loyal matey in their search for treasure, kids laughed, danced and stared enraptured at the artists in their elements. While kids’ shows at Teatro ZinZanni feel more like rock concerts than circus acts, the acrobatic duo of Ben Wendel and Rachel Nehmer took Tambourine Submarine to a higher level (no pun intended). As the two twirled high above the ground, their expertise on the trapeze even elicited gasps from the grownups in the audience.
Tambourine Submarine runs for about an hour, just right for short attention spans and little spectators who might tucker out quickly from all that dancing. The show seems more appropriate for younger kids, but they’re likely to miss out on a lot of the jokes from the stalwart captain and his first mate. Any kid in the audience, however, will get a kick out of seeing performers close to their own age in the show; the talented young dancers and acrobats might just inspire your own child’s dreams of being in the spotlight one day.
Recess Monkey always puts on a good show, and this outing with Teatro ZinZanni definitely rocks the boat. Be sure to bring some cash for popcorn and other concessions in the lobby, and you’ll also have the chance to grab the band’s 2013 releases Deep Sea Diver and Desert Island Disc.
