SITE GUIDE
SEARCH
REVIEWS
REVIEW ARCHIVES
ADVERTISING AT CURTAINUP
FEATURES
NEWS
Etcetera and
Short Term Listings
LISTINGS
Broadway
Off-Broadway
NYC Restaurants
BOOKS and CDs
OTHER PLACES
Berkshires
London
California
New Jersey
DC
Philadelphia
Elsewhere
QUOTES
TKTS
PLAYWRIGHTS' ALBUMS
LETTERS TO EDITOR
FILM
LINKS
MISCELLANEOUS
Free Updates
Masthead
A CurtainUp Review
The Plant that Ate Dirty Socks
By Julia Furay
|
Being weird and nerdy and full of heart is the new cool!—Jason
|
The Plant that Ate Socks
|
If you're not familiar with McArthur's popular children's series, the offbeat story is just as the title advertises (think Little Shop of Horrors lite). It focuses on two young brothers who adopt a plant with some strange dietary needs, and become closer as a result. Michael the slob (Jason Williams), and Norman the neatnik (Lance Rubin) soon realize that their oddball plant needs to be kept secret from their parents, popular kid Jason (Jeffrey Omura), and snoopy cheerleading neighbor Patty (Lauren Marcus).
The tale is given a contemporary musical treatment, with rock-influenced songs (the orchestra consists of a pianist and drummer), and plenty of fun terminology (dudely, fly, freakazoid, wicked). Composer/lyricist Joe Iconis has created a musically exuberant score and playful lyrics that fit the story. And director John Simpkins keeps the energy high throughout, assisted by the bouncy choreography of Jennifer Werner.
Williams and Rubin are both likeable as the two brothers, but William's messy, teddy bear-like appeal is more believable than Rubin's obviously fake nerdy act. Kilty Reidy and Lorinda Lisitza as their parents are sometimes over-the-top. They've been given some hilarious costumes from designer Tracy Christensen (like Dad's businesslike purple polka-dotted pajamas, complete with tie and briefcase).
The Plant that Ate Dirty Socks is solid and entertaining even though not quite as memorable as earlier Theatreworks productions like Junie B. Jones or Anne of Green Gables. The supporting characters tend to be overly generic even for a kid's show, making the story feels a little forced at moments. Ultimately, what makes the show so appealing and work so well though, is its unabashedly weird heart. Whether dressed up as a robot or a gorilla to solve a mystery, trying to teach their plants to speak, or showing off their sock-eating plants at a science fair, Michael and Norman always dish up a large doses of silly fun.
|
THE PLANT THAT ATE DIRTY SOCKS Based on Novel by Nancy McArthur novels Book, Music and Lyrics: Joe Iconis Director: John Simpkins Choreographer: Jennifer Werner Lighting Designer: Chris Dallos Sound Designer: Eric Shim Costume Designer: Tracy Christensen Scenic Designer: Michael Schweikardt Cast: Lauren Marcus (Patty Jenkins), Lorinda Lisitza (Mom/Sanjay), Jeffrey Omura (Jason/McKenzie), Kilty Reidy (Dad/Judge), Lance Rubin (Norman), Michael Schupbach (Fluffy/Stanley), Jason "Sweet Tooth" Williams (Michael), Running time: 65 minutes, no intermission The Lucille Lortel Theatre, 121 Christopher Street, (800) 497-5007, www.twusa.org Tickets: Free and available on a first come, first served basis in-person at the Lucille Lortel Theatre Box Office on the day of the performance, one hour prior to curtain time. Individual reservations cannot be made in advance. From 7/16/08 to 8/22/08; opens 7/24. Mon, Tues, Weds and Fri @ 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., Thurs @ 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Sunday @ 2 p.m. Reviewed by Julia Furay based on July 29th performance Song List: The Woohoo! Song, Welcome to My Room, If I Won the Science Fair, Plants Make Wonderful Pets, Robot and Gorilla and the Case of the Missing Socks, I Saw It Suck Up a Sock |
|
REVIEW FEEDBACK Highlight one of the responses below and click "copy" or"CTRL+C"
Paste the highlighted text into the subject line (CTRL+ V): Feel free to add detailed comments in the body of the email and state if you'd like your comments published in our letters section. |
Try onlineseats.com for great seats to
Wicked
Jersey Boys
The Little Mermaid
Lion King
Shrek The Musical
South Pacific
In the Heights
Playbill 2007-08 Yearbook
Leonard Maltin's 2008 Movie Guide
Wicked
Jersey Boys
The Little Mermaid
Lion King
Shrek The Musical
South Pacific
In the Heights
Playbill 2007-08 Yearbook
Leonard Maltin's 2008 Movie Guide