Seattle Children’s Theatre presents “Ada Twist, Scientist and Friends,” a musical sure to amuse young viewers and offer a sweet reminder about the beauty of friendships and the power of imagination. Based on the 2016 children’s picture book written by Andrea Beaty and illustrated by David Roberts, “Ada Twist, Scientist and Friends” offers a diverse cast and a message about STEM learning that is appropriate for viewers of most ages and features no unsettling moments for uneasy audience goers.
(Image: Truman Buffett)
A STEM-filled Synopsis
Whether your little aspiring scientist has read the series of children’s picture books or watched the Netflix series adaptation going on four seasons, Ada Twist (Donnalesly Fondjo) is brought to dazzling life on stage and in all its singing grandeur with this uncomplicated musical that explores the curiosity of childhood. Ada Twist, scientist, and her friends Rosie Revere (Madelyn Casey), engineer, and Iggy Peck (Carson Merrick), architect, are excited to start second grade. Their instructor, Ms. Lila Greer (Karis Knierim), is equally as anxious for her very first day of teaching.
While everyone has good intentions, the first day unfolds into STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) chaos. Ada, Rosie, and Iggy have big ideas about the things they want to learn, and their classroom experiments go awry, particularly Rosie’s cheese-powered flying hat, which inadvertently sprays in her teacher’s face, a comical moment that also highlights the frequency of failure in STEM experiments.
Curious about nature and all that the outdoors has to offer, Ms. Greer takes her class on a field trip where they find themselves stuck on an island without a bridge. What are three inquisitive second graders supposed to do? Waiting around for help to come is certainly not the answer. Ada, Rosie and Iggy, along with Rosie’s Great Great Aunt Rose (Jeane Cummins), put their minds, skills and specialized know-how to the task of saving the class and proving to themselves that thinking problems through and outside of the box makes a difference in real-life dilemmas.
(Image: Truman Buffett)
Failure (is Essential) to Launch
As a mother to two young girls, I absolutely adore the underlying messages in “Ada Twist.” For one, Ada is a young girl of color, but her gender and race have no bearing on the incredible things she can do and the confidence with which she does them. Her relationship with her friends is pure, and their propensity for understanding important concepts like teamwork, resilience in the face of surmounting obstacles and problem-solving are admirable qualities to have expressed on stage for impressionable viewers.
The set design for this production is simple, yet effective. Grid paper covers the primary backdrop, and STEM iconography, like the planets, equations, numbers, and letters, are sprinkled around the set. There are some comical moments that my kids found truly hysterical, namely the cheese hat squirting a stream of canned cheese into the face of the already-frantic teacher. But the many ingenious creations the characters come up with also entranced my young theater companions.
But what I found to be the story’s most pivotal message is about failing. Failing is as important in this production as succeeding, and the message to young minds that failing is an essential part of being a scientist, engineer, or anyone working in STEM is a reassuring inclusion for a parent hoping to nurture my children’s interests. This means allowing them to experience failure and to ensure they understand that it often takes time, trial and error and perseverance to succeed. Ada and her friends never give up, and they are bright, positive role models to lead young viewers on a journey in this sweet, hour-long production.
(Image: Truman Buffett)
Know Before You Go
- Dates: The show runs through February 22, with a variety of showtimes spanning the morning and
evening. - Runtime: Approximately 60 minutes without an intermission.
- Recommended Age: 5+.
- Access/Audio Described Performance: Sunday, February 15 at 11 a.m.
- Sensory-Friendly Performance: Saturday, February 7 at 1 p.m.
- Spotlight Performance: Engineering Day is Sunday, February 22 at 1 p.m. at the Pacific Science Center and will feature a spotlight performance of “Ada Twist, Scientist and Friends” as well as hands-on, interactive exhibits led by local engineers.
- Address: Seattle Children’s Theatre is located at 201 Thomas Street, Seattle 98109
- Parking: Garage and street parking are available with payment. Give yourself ample time if there is
an event at Climate Pledge Arena.
