Synetic’s distinct style of telling stories through movement, fabric and mime is all over this touching and effective Native American tale of a young girl scarred by fire, who develops her own sense of self worth and beauty.  The tale focuses on two sisters making their way through life dealing with tragedy, unexpected twists, unanticipated turns, and dollops of delight and wonder. [Read more...]

When a six-year-old in the lobby says, “This is going to be awesome,” I ask why. “I know the story.” Several other youngsters look up. They know it too. No, not from Disney World’s Magic Kingdom; they’ve heard it from their mothers who read or tell them stories. I’m impressed. [Read more...]

It’s hard to avoid running into The Nutcracker during America’s year-end holiday festivities. From amateur productions featuring tiny, budding ballerinas and piped-in music to the kind of lavish, professional productions — all based on a fairy tale by the legendary German storyteller E. T. A. Hoffmann. [Read more...]

Creators of children’s theatre have two rock-solid obligations: to entertain the kiddies without boring their parents to tears. This obligation is particularly binding on those who make theatre for the under-5 set. [Read more...]

Director Elena Vasco has come up with an original crowd-pleaser with Tio Conego and his fellow animals in Las Aventuras de Tio Conejo. Adapted from a Nicaraguan folktale, this is the story of a trickster rabbit who turns the “might makes right” adage on its head. [Read more...]

Look, I didn’t like this show, but your results may vary. More to the point, this show isn’t about you. It’s about that solemn-faced munchkin with the big eyes sitting next to you, tugging on your sleeve and whispering, “Daddy, that kitty can talk.” The munchkins seem to have a good time. [Read more...]

Synetic, having conjured Hell in the Rosslyn Spectrum (twice: Faust and Dante) and having created Shakespeare out of wordlessness (numerous times), did not scruple at summoning a surprise snowstorm [Read more...]