![\"Two](\"http:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/IMG_1718-e1497405747568.jpg\")
<\/a>Two of the cutest and brightest kids I know, (and my Junior Reviewers,) Ben and Alexa, with the Panda, of course! Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n
I actually scanned all<\/em> the faces in the audience every now and then during Zen Shorts<\/em>, and every kid appeared enthralled.\u00a0 I was thrilled to see that because, especially as a former elementary school teacher, I always feel that children should be introduced to real<\/em> theatre as early and often as possible.\u00a0 And this venue is so gorgeous and impressive that it\u2019s the perfect place to start.<\/p>\n I have to be honest (as always) and admit that Zen Shorts<\/em> is far from the best kids show I\u2019ve ever seen, and I had no idea what was happening most of the time. But Alexa and Ben were fascinated, and that\u2019s all that counts in children\u2019s theatre, isn\u2019t it?\u00a0 And when we were discussing the show afterwards, I was amazed that they each described their favorite parts with the puppets\u2019 names<\/em>!\u00a0 That really shocked me; the names were not uttered many times in the show.\u00a0 This presentation obviously gets to children<\/em>, the audience it\u2019s designed for, so it\u2019s all good.<\/p>\n Photo courtesy of Rogue Artists Ensemble, as is the big pic at the top of ths page.<\/p><\/div>\n Zen Shorts<\/em> is based on an award-winning book of the same name, and is basically about a panda and his three human kid friends. He tells them short stories, and I guess that\u2019s what\u2019s supposed to be depicted here, but I cannot swear to it. The bear gives them lessons in how to be zen. I think.<\/p>\n I really don\u2019t understand the need for children to learn about the concept of \u201czen,\u201d\u00a0but I guess that times have changed since I<\/em> taught youngsters. When my charges needed to relax, we just played The Spinach Game. Or The Stagecoach Tipped Over. (Don\u2019t ask.) Wait–maybe it is a good thing to let them know about how to ease stress during these especially troubled times. But when we came to the part of the show where we were advised, \u201cDon\u2019t forget to breathe,\u201d I felt like it was an intervention for\u00a0me<\/em>!<\/p>\n Photo courtesy of Rogue Artists Ensemble.<\/p><\/div>\n The show is only an hour long, which is perfect for kids\u2019 attention spans, and there are several choices of times on most dates, which is a bonus.\u00a0 The show is appropriate for ages five and over, and perhaps some very well-behaved four-year-olds, as my friend Alexa is.\u00a0 More good news is that the \u201cstage-on-the-stage\u201d is high enough for kids to see all<\/em> the action, no matter where they sit. I would still suggest sitting in the center, if you can, for the best straight-on view.\u00a0 (And if you\u2019re a grown-up with a kid behind you, please scooch down a bit.\u00a0 And don\u2019t wear up-dos, hats, or sunglasses on your heads! Actually, don\u2019t do those rude things in any<\/em> theatre ever<\/em>!)<\/p>\n Do you see what I maan about the puppeteers’ outfits? Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Speaking of things to do and not do, maybe you should explain to your kids before<\/em> they see the show that the people who are dressed as the \u201cbeekeepers of doom\u201d (my<\/em> words, not theirs<\/em>, of course,) are in black so that they blend into the background, and the audience should disregard those people and just watch the puppets<\/em>. (I really don\u2019t get why the puppeteers\u00a0need those weird ensembles. Couldn\u2019t they just wear black shirts and pants? I totally understand why they have to cover their heads, necks, and hands, but the \u201cdresses\u201d are just distracting, in my humble opinion. And pretty scary, too! The second I saw them, I spelled \u201cs-c-a-r-y\u201d to my grown-up pal, hoping that there were no spelling bee champs sitting near us.)<\/p>\n Photo courtesy of Rogue Artists Ensemble.<\/p><\/div>\n I must give props to the few adults who were in the audience on their own, without children, which was interesting. They were probably puppetry aficionados, (as am I<\/em>!,) or else they just wanted to spend a peaceful hour being zen, in lovely surroundings, which I get, as well.<\/p>\n And, interesting for all<\/em> ages is the demonstration by the cast, (minus the headgear,) of how they work the puppets. That is very educational. And they take questions from the audience, too, which is a wonderful experience for the youngsters. I really appreciated that part.<\/p>\n Photo courtesy of Rogue Artists Ensemble.<\/p><\/div>\n One big perk of seeing children\u2019s entertainment at the Playhouse is that, unlike most other venues, they\u2019re not trying to rob you blind by selling overpriced souvenirs; they\u2019re just putting on a show. And that\u2019s what children\u2019s theatre should really be about. I hate when kids play with their new toys from the concession stand, instead of paying attention to the stage, especially when their new possessions are toy swords that are being waving right in front of my eyes<\/em>!<\/p>\n Photo courtesy of Rogue Artists Ensemble.<\/p><\/div>\n So, if you\u2019re looking for something fun and educational to do with kids in the next few weeks, head right on over to the Pasadena Playhouse to see Zen Shorts<\/em>. And check the website first for pre- and post-show activities. The day I saw it, there was a free puppet workshop in the courtyard before the show. As I\u2019m sure you can figure by now, it took everything I had in me to not make one myself!<\/p>\n Zen Shorts<\/em>\u00a0running on through June 25, 2017<\/strong> ZEN SHORTS When I found-out that one of my favorite theaters in town, the Pasadena Playhouse, was offering a children\u2019s puppet show this year, I knew I would have to borrow a couple of my friends\u2019 children so that I could see it with people my own age!\u00a0 (Mentally and emotionally, that is.)\u00a0 So, eight-year-old<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>
\n Pasadena Playhouse \u00a039 South El Molino Avenue \u00a0Pasadena \u00a0626-356-7529 www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"