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How Can You Run With A Shell on Your Back?
Critical Evaluation: *** out of ****
Review by Joe Stead
(Left) Peggy Roeder and Andrew Keltz; (Right) Jessie Mueller, Tawny Newsome and Elana Ernst in the musical "How Can You Run With A Shell on Your Back" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Photos by Michael Brosilow.
Is your family in need of some cool summertime adventures? How about a trip to the library, via Navy Pier? Chicago Shakespeare Theater has launched its popular Family summer series with a remount of the lively original musical "How Can You Run With A Shell on Your Back?," turning detention into a surprisingly colorful and frenzied place. This hour-long kids show was adapted by Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler from three classic "Aesop's Fables," cleverly bringing the centuries old tales into a 21st Century kid-friendly aesthetic. If only this cast's peppy performance could be bottled, it might prove a cure for lethargy.
During an hour-long school detention period, substitute teacher Miss Sopperstein opens a book of fables and magically unlocks her charges imaginations and inner potential. There’s the usual mix of school types (the class clown, super jock, brainy teachers’ pet, the pretty and popular, an outsider and a slow but earnest nerd). We all remember "Androcles and the Lion," "The Ant and the Grasshopper" and "The Tortoise and the Hare," and they are all brought to life with a cute twist as the six students learn to mix learning and playtime. As staged with great invention by Director Peter Flynn and Choreographer Devanand Janki, the tales fairly burst to life and provide a winning family entertainment.
"How Can You Run With A Shell on Your Back?" continues through August 12, 2007 in the Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, 800 East Grand Avenue on Navy Pier. The performance runs 1 hour without intermission. The show is recommended for ages 6 and up. Performances are Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m., Saturdays at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 & 4:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $16 and $20. Call (312) 595-5600 or visit www.chicagoshakes.com.
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