Leading the pack of 26 young actors between the ages of 8 and 18 is Ryan Dahl as Jack, the Narrator, (and sometimes Tortoise.) His engaging manner, and Giant-coping skills hold the show together, as the fairy-tale spoofs run over each other. (The Giant was roaringly played by Simon Rebeck, who also served as assistant director, stage manager, and helped director Sadonna with the scenic painting.)
I enjoyed the saucy Foxy Loxy (Carlie Smith) who took over some narrating when Jack was indisposed. Camryn Cardwell was an adorable and cheeky frog, very accomplished for 8 years old; we are excited to see he has been cast in the upcoming Pippin, continuing his Riverwalk career. Lucy Ackerman was an insistent Chicken Licken; Beatrice Backhaus was a colorful and energetic Stinky Cheese Man.
My 11 and 13 year old guests particularly enjoyed Narrator Jack — and also the frenzied Cow Patty Boy, Trevor Mims. It might be helpful to instruct younger children on the definition of a cow patty before the show, so they can anticipate one of the “special effects” later in the show.
The set was an old-timey painted proscenium with alternating stone/castle/forest scenes on the turn-able periactoids. The costumes were a colorful melange of “people clothes” that suggested the various animal characters in an imaginative way. Foxy Loxy had a feather boa; the Tortoise shell was an umbrella.
Director Sadonna Croff has created a magical community in her eight years of masterminding the Young Artisan Workshop. This free program not only supports the actors but many crew kids learning to build/paint sets, design/run lights, and make props and costumes. “Instructors” helping Sadonna were Tom Ferris on sets and Ted Daniel on lighting.
Get out to Riverwalk and enjoy this crazy collection of fun — with goofy parody songs tossed in. It runs about an hour and 20 minutes, which includes a 15 minute intermission. ONE WEEKEND ONLY - 7pm Friday and Saturday; 4:30 pm Sunday. Only $8 for kids and $10 for adults age 13+ - general seating. http://www.riverwalktheatre.com