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Batman smells at the DCT
By Kelley Chambers, kchambers@starlocalnews.com, @KelleyChambers7 on Twitter
One of the best things about the holidays - besides the gifts, of course - are the traditions families instill this time of year. They range from indulging in the usual specials on TV to piling in the car to "ooh" and "ahh" over Christmas lights around town.
For me, my favorite tradition is one that began last year and involves a trip to the Dallas Children's Theater. With all of the Christmas plays around here, it can be hard to pick just one. But the DCT is one of those places where you don't have to worry about whether or not the production is a showstopper or a flop - this place is first-rate in my book.
This year, the production took on quite the comedic role, much to our satisfaction. Thanks to a troupe of talented young adults (and one Mr. Scary), "June B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells" was a hilarious take on one of the many books written by Barbara Park that have become a favorite among today's adolescents (think of a modern day Ramona Quimby, for us old folks).
In this play, Junie B. and her first-grade class are all abuzz about their secret Santas, a trip to the school Christmas gift store and their chance to sing together at their school. The story hits some serious conflict when Junie B. draws her arch rival's name. The first grader agonizes over how to have enough money to buy gifts for her family members, while at the same time treating herself to the ever-popular belching toy at the school store.
While the main character was as lovable as she is in the books, it was the supporting roles that had us really captivated. I don't think I've ever seen a grown adult act like such convincing children (except my ex-husband, maybe), but it was so spot on with the characters in the book that I began to wonder what these people were like offstage - clearly, they were besties with their inner children.
Thanks to their talents and the lengths to which this place goes in making the settings and lighting clean, vivid and magical every time, I can't wait to go back next Christmas, if I can wait until then. A season pass is sounding better and better.
The Dallas Children's Theater is located at 5938 Skillman St. in Dallas. For information, visit www.dct.org.
For me, my favorite tradition is one that began last year and involves a trip to the Dallas Children's Theater. With all of the Christmas plays around here, it can be hard to pick just one. But the DCT is one of those places where you don't have to worry about whether or not the production is a showstopper or a flop - this place is first-rate in my book.
This year, the production took on quite the comedic role, much to our satisfaction. Thanks to a troupe of talented young adults (and one Mr. Scary), "June B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells" was a hilarious take on one of the many books written by Barbara Park that have become a favorite among today's adolescents (think of a modern day Ramona Quimby, for us old folks).
In this play, Junie B. and her first-grade class are all abuzz about their secret Santas, a trip to the school Christmas gift store and their chance to sing together at their school. The story hits some serious conflict when Junie B. draws her arch rival's name. The first grader agonizes over how to have enough money to buy gifts for her family members, while at the same time treating herself to the ever-popular belching toy at the school store.
While the main character was as lovable as she is in the books, it was the supporting roles that had us really captivated. I don't think I've ever seen a grown adult act like such convincing children (except my ex-husband, maybe), but it was so spot on with the characters in the book that I began to wonder what these people were like offstage - clearly, they were besties with their inner children.
Thanks to their talents and the lengths to which this place goes in making the settings and lighting clean, vivid and magical every time, I can't wait to go back next Christmas, if I can wait until then. A season pass is sounding better and better.
The Dallas Children's Theater is located at 5938 Skillman St. in Dallas. For information, visit www.dct.org.
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