The Children’s Theatre Company never disappoints!
The Carp Who Would Not Quit and Other Animal Stories is a fun, live telling of fables for children from Japan and Okinawa.
I saw it with my husband and stepson and we all enjoyed it. The trio of actors are from the Honolulu Theatre for Youth Ensemble, and they put on a lively, high energy show with live music and puppets. It was written and directed by Reiko Ho from the Honolulu Theatre, using stories she was told when she was a little girl herself.
Photo: Glen Stubbe Photography
“This show was a joy to create, and we are thrilled to be sharing it with audiences at CTC,” says Playwright/Director Reiko Ho. “Celebrating our cultural stories is one of the most important things I do as a theatre maker. I’m delighted to adapt a few of my own favorite childhood stories for the stage and introduce some of the beautiful performance traditions and aesthetics of Japanese and Okinawan culture to a new generation of young people and families.”
The performers for The Carp Who Would Not Quit and Other Animal Stories includes Serina Dunham, Mattea Mazzella, and Hermenigildo Tesoro, Jr. They are incredibly talented actors who kept the show moving and full of silliness and energy.
In addition to The Carp Who Would Not Quit the actors told stories about a mouse, a crane and a rabbit, all with puppets and costumes. Each story had a valuable lesson such as “It doesn’t pay to be greedy!” and “Don’t quit!”
There is audience interaction – you’ll get to sing, you’ll help make “mochi,” and you even will learn some Japanese words (there’s a guide in the program too).
It’s perfect for younger kids (ages 3-7) but it’s enjoyable for teens and adults too because of the unique, imaginative stories and positive life lessons. And it’s only 50 minutes long (no intermission) so it’s the perfect length for little ones.
Tickets start at $15 and it’s now through February 18th on the Cargill Stage – check it out!
Tips:
- Arrive early enough to park for free on streets nearby. You can park for free on the streets around the theatre. We parked within a block of the theatre. There is also a paid parking ramp.
- Arrive on time! There were some people who arrived late and it was very distracting. Unfortunately, the theatre is basically bleachers and walking on them can be loud. A whole group of people came in late and their walking up to their seats was so loud it drowned out the actors. (I was impressed that the actors kept going like nothing was happening.) And the theatre isn’t big so it’s hard to be discreet. Please don’t be late so the performance won’t be disrupted, and so you won’t miss any of it. It’s not long at 50 minutes anyway.
- You can bring a covered beverage into the theatre. There are also drinks and snacks you can buy before and after the show.
- All seats are good. If you sit in the back, know that you’re going up stairs to get to them.
Tickets are available at childrenstheatre.org/carp or by calling the Ticket Office at 612.874.0400.
(Disclosure: We were provided with complimentary tickets to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% mine.)