REVIEW: Jack & the Beanstalk Panto-Style

Last weekend I had the opportunity to have two new experiences, and both were practically in my own backyard.  It was a good reminder not to overlook entertainment and fun that’s close to home.  No matter where you are, it’s likely that there’s something waiting to be discovered.

Princess Tamara (Alicia Mendez) escorts the cow.

For me, the  discovery was a local theater group, Centerstage, a local venue, the Knutsen Family Theatre, and the theater style of panto.

First, an explanation of what panto is:  Panto, short for pantomime, is a comedy art form dating back to the middle ages in Britain.  I always thought pantomimes were silent performances, but that isn’t true at all.  Pantos follow a basic format of style and characters.  Every panto has a Fairy Queen and a Demon King, and although the precise character title may be different, good always conquers evil.  Two other important elements in any panto are the Principal Boy (always played by a woman, and wearing a costume that typically includes a short, tight fitting skirt, fishnet stockings, and knee high boots) and the Dame (always played by a man, wearing a costume that portrays the character as an older, rather unattractive woman).  The primary characters are supported by a chorus of singers and dancers, and a group of younger performers.

Two other distinctive components of panto, and what really captured my attention in the art form, are audience participation and the music.  The characters interact with the audience, encouraging them to boo and hiss the villain and to cheer the hero.  The audience is also enlisted to help warn the characters against danger, and get involved in the plot and the production in other ways.  While the panto plot line may be traditional, the music is decidedly modern, and while occasionally specifically scored for the production, is usually borrowed from current day popular music.  Modern panto usually features children’s stories or fables.

Dame Trott (Roger Curtis) and her son Jack (David Roby)

I knew none of this background before setting off to see Centerstage’s panto production of Jack & the Beanstalk with a 6-year old.  And believe me, this is Jack & the Beanstalk like you’ve never seen it before!

And it was a hoot!  We laughed on so many different levels, both child and adult, and got caught up in the magic of the story, the production, and the enthusiasm of the audience.  There was lots of typical British-style humor that would go over the heads of kids, and a bunch of silly sight gags and humor that will make the kids laugh and the adults groan.  The little guy was a bit hesitant about participating at first, probably all those times of being told to keep quiet when in the audience, but once he got into it, he participated, laughed, and had a lot of fun.  After the performance I asked him what his favorite parts were, and he quickly came up with a handful of sight gags.  His favorite was the cow.

The production follows the basic storyline –  cow, magic beans, beanstalk, ogre, etc. – but all the side stories are what make this production really shine.  Some favorite musical numbers were “Let the Sun Shine” (after the beans were planted and while the beanstalk was growing) and “Celebration” after the ogre had been slain.  And speaking of slaying the ogre, that could only be accomplished with a little bit of audience participation.  Oh yeah, and wait till you see the ogre – some VERY IMPRESSIVE staging!

Princess Tamara (Alicia Mendez) gets caught by the giant (designed by the Zambini Brothers)

Finding this theater company and venue was a wonderful discovery!  I recommend this production heartily.  Not only is it suitable for all ages, but all ages will be engaged on different levels, and will have a great time.  It would make a wonderful family holiday outing.  And be sure to take a look at the upcoming Centerstage productions.

Location:  Knutsen Family Theatre, 3200 SW Dash Point Road in Federal Way (map)

Dates & Times:  November 28th – December 20th, 2009.  Friday and Saturday at 8 pm, matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm.

Tickets:  $25 adults; $20 seniors, students and military; $10 for kids and youth (up to age 17).  Seating is general admission, and in this small, intimate theater, every seat is a good one.  Tickets can be purchased online.

NOTE:  Tickets to this production were provided to be as part of the theater’s press outreach.

Photo credit:  All photos courtesy of Michelle Smith-Lewis