Air Play-Unique theater for adults and children
It is difficult to find a specific noun to define WHAT Air Play, now at Seattle Children’s Theater, IS because it defies categorization. It is easier to find adjectives: spectacular, highly creative, highly innovative, joyful, fun, visually and aurally pleasing.
Perhaps it is best to let the Seth Bloom and Cristina Gelsone, the creators and performers of Air Play speak for themselves.
“Is Air Play theater, comedy, sculpture, or circus? Yes!
Our show is rooted in our love of circus, clowns,
aerialists, acrobats, and jugglers”.
In many ways, the show is very like a micro-Cirque du Soleil, as it is non-verbal as well as highly visual, with an exceptional sound score, including music of all genres. However, the title does reveal a central theme. All their props, with which they juggle, are air-borne such as balloons and umbrellas. In addition, air sculpturist Daniel Wurtzel, also has gravity defying scarves making a scrumptious visual feast. I found it quite ironic that this air sculpturist’s name actually means the opposite of airborne in German, Wurtzel is the name for “root.”
Throughout the whole show, the two performers had excellent rapport with the children in the audience, who became part of the performance. The director, West Hyler ,knew how to keep the energy flowing and there was never a dull moment with a number of quick changes of pace. Technically, it was a very challenging show, and I was quite impressed by the seamless changes from one sketch to the next. It was a flawless production.
Given what has happened to children recently, it was wonderful to see happy joyful children. There were even highly competent 5-year-olds passing out clipboards with the program for us to scan on our phones. In fact, lots of the adults, including myself, had just as much fun as the children.
I recommend everyone, of all ages, go to this show, we all need some laughter and joy and this type of “theater” is truly unique.
Air Play, Acrobuffos Seattle Children’s Theatre. Charlotte Martin Theater, Seattle Center, 201 Thomas St. Seattle 98109. June 5th 11 am and 4 pm, June 10 7 pm, June 11 1 pm and 6 pm, June 12 11am and 4 pm. info: www.sct.org Tickets: https://www.sct.org/onstage/productions/air-play-2/