“I love you, Charles Wallace.” That statement is not only a quote from the play, but also the audience’s reaction to Sophie Kelly-Hedrick’s portrayal of Charles Wallace in Youth Theatre Northwest’s A Wrinkle in Time. Kelly-Hedrick, a spunky 11-year-old with quite the acting chops, stole the show.
A Wrinkle in Time is based on the classic book of the same title. The story is one of science fiction, fantasy and the triumph of love. Although my kids are well versed in the classics, this was one that we somehow skipped. I was delighted to have a chance to share it with my 8-year-old daughter, who was equally entranced by the story.
Youth Theatre Northwest on Mercer Island is quite the little gem. Despite having lived in Seattle for over a decade, this was my first trip to the little theater. It is downright charming, and free parking for a theater show nearly had me giddy. The theater not only boasts three to four productions per year, it is also home to drama classes and camps for kids ages 3 to 18. If your little one has caught the acting bug, this theater is well worth a second look.
One of the best features of the show is the two rows of open or floor seating for children up front. I was surprised that my daughter chose to move up to this area after intermission since she didn’t know anyone else there. Being so close to the action was a special treat for her and much more magical that peering over the tops of heads. The only downside is that the other seats are reserved, so unless your child is brave enough to sit up front alone or you bring a friend, he or she may not venture up front.
Classics are classics for a reason: the story of A Wrinkle in Time continues to be as endearing as ever. As a parent of a young girl, I am always thrilled to find a book or show with a female protagonist. The character Meg brings so much to the table. She is full of self-doubt, feels different from everyone else, and just plain has trouble fitting in. Through the course of her adventures, she learns that being different isn’t a bad thing, but that our individual characteristics are what make us who we are. Best of all, her triumph comes not from physical strength, beauty, intelligence or even wit; she wins the day due to the power of love. That is a message any child can emulate.
The play is recommended for ages 8 and up. That assessment is right on target. The concept of a wrinkle in time being used to allow travel to far-off planets is a tricky topic. I’m not sure my daughter fully understood the concept, but I am sure she fully enjoyed the play (it runs about an hour and a half with an intermission). This show was one of the first my daughter has seen that didn’t include music. Surprisingly, she didn’t seem to miss it. Her favorite part was watching the various inhabitants of Camazotz perform repetitive, robotic-like motions. She was enthralled with the concept of becoming part of the “It” and has been practicing her own robotic voice.
The presentation of the show celebrates the 50th anniversary of the book by Madeleine L' Engle with an adaptation by James Sie. The show is directed by Kate Swenson, artist in residence at Youth Theatre Northwest. A crew of professionals provides services ranging from costumes to sets to sound. The actors are the only kids in the production, and they certainly hold up their end of the bargain.
The only possible weak link in the whole show is maintaining a balance between sound effects and the actors’ voices. Some of the kids are more versed in projecting than others, and occasionally the cool sci-fi sounds (that drone constantly when you are on a distant planet) would overpower some of the dialogue. Luckily, the theater is small enough that it was not a big factor, and perhaps opening night jitters accounted for some of the soft-spokenness.
A Wrinkle in Time is a great opportunity to introduce your child to the world of science fiction beyond Star Wars, and perhaps even to the possibilities of participating in theater. There’s no doubt about it: kids love watching other kids. I know my daughter was envisioning herself up on that stage, and perhaps yours will too. The show runs through May 6th.
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Source: http://www.seattleschild.com/article/youth-theatre-northwests-a-wrinkle-in-time
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