WHAT: "The Tiger and the Dried Persimmon," performed by Thistle Theatre, a puppet theater for families.
WHERE/WHEN: Magnuson Park Theatre, 7110 62nd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115, Bldg. 47, March 1 and 2 at 1 and 3 p.m.
Bellevue Youth Theater, 16661 Northup Way, Bellevue, WA 98008, March 8 and 9 at 2 and 4 p.m.
Sunset Hill Community Club, 3003 NW 66th St, Seattle, WA 98117, March 15 and 16 at 1 and 3 p.m.
TICKET PRICE: $8 children and seniors, $10 general admission.
TO BUY TICKETS: Call 206-524-3388 or visit thistletheatre.org or http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/456951 (Magnuson Park), http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/456956 (Bellevue), http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/456954 (Sunset Hill), or buy them at the door.
This is a retelling of a Korean folktale about a young tiger who goes down the mountain in search of food. When he hears a mother silence her daughter's crying with a kotgum (dried persimmon).
The naive tiger believes that a kotgum must be a very fearsome creature. He runs into a superstitious thief, and hilarity ensues.
I play a magpie, which is the voice of the common people in Korean folklore. I also play the mother and the little girl as well as a butterfly, a turtle, some dragonflies, and two members of the village band.
All voices are performed live by me and fellow puppeteers Alex Cantrell and Zane Exactly. We use a variety of puppet styles including Japanese Bunraku-style, shadow, and rod puppets to tell and sing this traditional story.
All the live singing (there is some folk-singing to set scenes that was prerecorded) is done by me, and there is a delightful sequence where the tiger's imagination comes to life.
The show also features shadow puppets showing characters talking inside a house. I do that, too.
The script was written by Jean Enticknap with Hyeon-soog Chang and Andrew Kim. Jean also directed this lively production.
This show is recommended for ages 3 and up.
The shows at Magnuson Park Theatre shows are on March 1 and 2 at 1 and 3 p.m. The theater is in Magnuson Park in building 47. The address is 7110 62nd Ave NE in Seattle.
Performances at Bellevue Youth Theatre are at 2 and 4 p.m. on March 8 and 9. That address is 16661 Northup Way, Bellevue, WA 98008.
Shows at Sunset Hill Community Club in Ballard are at 1 and 3 p.m. on March 15 and 16. The address is 3003 NW 66th Street.
Don't miss our terrific show that tells a funny and lovely Korean folktale with puppets inspired by traditional art.
Gina Wilhelm Actress