PioneerValleyalways has great summer shows for young audiences.  The company is made up of “young theatre professionals”, supplemented with grade/middle school students as background and chorus. Noah Smith’s PVST adaptations are always fast paced and filled with catchy songs and good humor.  David Nield’s direction is full of wonderful physical comedy that reaches out to the young audience.

STONE SOUP tells the tale of three American GIs returning to the States after “the war”.  Arriving in a small town looking for a meal, the Mayor informs them that everyone is still rationing food...  Determined to get something to eat, and to teach the townspeople to trust again, the soldiers concoct a plan to make a ‘stone soup” that will bring the town together in a spirit of cooperation.  The story has been fleshed out to include a visit to a farm, home of a comely farmer’s daughter and a belligerent cow and an incident at a haughty culinary school.

Nola started clapping her hands as soon as the first song “Here We Are” began.  The varied original songs set young toes tapping and featured sly lyrics and word play.  ‘Stone’s Throw Jail”, “I’m the Singer of this Song” and “You Gotta Believe” got the kids dancing.  CD’s of PVST’s “Greatest Hits” are available at the box office.

Gwen enjoyed the character of Lt. Elty, played by Chantal Deaton because she “was funny” especially during her “silly dance”.  John Albano’s cabdriver “Sully” was also a success, especially when he “drove his pretend cab” and went undercover as a “silly snail with those goggles on and things on his head”.  She also enjoyed George Olesky’s physical humor as “Billy Bill” when he “shaked and shaked” and Allison Colby’s ‘cool handshake” as “Brooklyn”.  ”Tallie Johnson gets extra credit for having to perform the deadpan role of “Cow-Cow” in full fur costume under the midday sun.  All the performers were energetic and had special moments that highlighted their characters to good effect.

The production had clever costumes and made good use of its open surroundings.  The outdoor sound system has been well designed to provide consistent microphone coverage for all the players and action.  One narrative quibble: it is unfortunate that the townspeople coming together to contribute to the soup happened off-stage.  It would have been nice to see the younger performers have a bit more contribution to this part of the original story.

PVST’s next young audience program is Beauty and the Beast, August 3 - 6, Adapted by Noah Smith, directed by Noah Tuleja

www.summertheatre.net/young-audiences/index.html

AUDIENCE NOTE:  Fixed seating is limited to a few bleachers, but the best view is up close, sitting on a bring-your-own blanket or low lawn chair.  However, the venue is in full sun for the duration of the show.  While there are some shade trees around the perimeter, they tend to be too far from the stage to afford a good view for the kids to enjoy the show.  So, bring plenty of sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat.  Despite an erratic breeze, the heat was too distracting for the girls to fully enjoy the show.