The word "NANDA" is a Japanese colloquialism loosely translated as an expression of surprise. It's the perfect word for this four-man group's new show, The Jacket, described by the group as "acrobaticalist Ninja theater!" The show blends martial arts, acrobatics, film, animation, juggling and vaudeville into a side-splitting creation that will entertain the whole family.
I've never seen anything like it before. The four men travel through time, on stage and on screen, in pursuit of a legendary Tolkien-esque jacket that gives its bearer magical (and often bizarre) powers. It's all tongue-in-cheek with satirical pop culture references woven throughout.
The four performers hail from Port Townsend and have been friends since early childhood. Daniel Milholland, NANDA manager and friend says, "Television was a rare luxury in our collective lives, so we had to get creative at a young age to entertain ourselves." Seattle audiences now get to enjoy the fruits of their imaginative childhood pursuits.
Chen Pollina plays an Indiana Jones-type treasure hunter. Kiyota Sage's character is a Japanese business man from Kyoto. Misha Fraden and Tomoki Sage play skilled ninja-like assassins. The four tumble and mime their way through dramatic slow motion fight scenes with weapons that include fists, guns (brightly colored toy ones), tanks, and lasers in pursuit of the jacket. It's perfect for kids; the violence is cartoonish and there is little dialogue to keep up with.
I had next to no energy as I dragged my 8-year-old and myself downtown for the show on a Friday night. Watching NANDA was the perfect antidote to a rough week. We were both belly laughing in minutes and left the show energized and uplifted. We'd barely gotten out of our seats when my daughter began begging me to see it again! The family seated next to us drove up from Tacoma after the parents caught a glimpse of NANDA's act at the Moisture Festival. Her 5- and 9-year-olds were utterly enthralled, as were other youngsters in the audience.
The Jacket runs for just over an hour, which is good for families, considering its late 8 p.m. start time. The doors open at 7:30 and the theater has open seating. Arrive early to find parking and get a good seat. Then sit back, relax, and expect the unexpected.
IF YOU GO
Where: Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle.
When: Through Oct. 23, Thursday through Sunday, 8 p.m.
Cost: Adults $20, $25 at the door; kids (12 and under) $12.
Contact: www.thejacketshow.com.
Laura Spruce Wight is a Seattle-area freelance writer and mother of two.
