Show Up, Kids!
Written by Peter Michael Marino & the kids and directed by Michole Biancosino & the kids
Q.E.D, 27-16 23rd Ave, Astoria, Queens 11105
Various dates through September 2024
Photo by Mikiodo
“Show Up, Kids!” brought back great memories of performing with a children’s theatre troupe many moons ago. The only difference here is that this show has no script and no story! Also, the main character, Sally, hasn’t shown up for the show. What are we going to do, kids? Thank goodness for Denisse Estefany Mendoza, our host, who rallies a group of children between the ages of 3 and 10 to create a show.
The kids are the stars of the show as they scream out ideas for places (Italy, New Jersey, the ocean); travel (trains, planes, and automobiles); and spaghetti monsters. Also, they have no issues sharing their opinions, offering pithy commentary, and eating their popcorn while performing. This was simply great fun. Mendoza’s energy is electrifying as she connects with the audience – pre-show and during the show. She sets the tone and creates a space for both the adults and children to feel comfortable to be a part of the show.
Peter Michael Marino has created the perfect traveling show. The framework works in any space: a playground, a school, the park, a theatre. QED’s intimate space provides the community with a variety of programming for which I have been an audience member. It was great to see a children’s show in this space. I laughed the whole show.
“Show Up, Kids!” also offers their show en Espanol which expands their outreach into multiple varied communities.
WHO: Written by Peter Michael Marino & the kids
Directed by Michole Biancosino & the kids
Featuring Denisse Estefany Mendoza & Kento Morita
Music by Michael Andrew
WHEN: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 17
11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 31
11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 7
11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 14
11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 21
11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 28
WHERE: Q.E.D, 27-16 23rd Ave, Astoria, Queens 11105
HOW MUCH: All tickets $20
AGES: 3-10
RUNNING TIME: 45 minutes
TICKETS: www.qedastoria.com
SHOW WEBSITE: www.showup-theshow.com
Reviewed by Malini Singh McDonald.
Published by Theatre Beyond Broadway on September 2nd, 2024. All rights reserved.