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The Search for Odysseus
By Charles Way
Directed by Nic Dimond
At Vittum Theater
1012 N. Noble
Chicago, IL
Call 773-342-4141, tickets Adults $15, Children, 14 and under $10
Group rates of 10 or more $9 each, school groups $6 each
Weekend matinees at 2 pm—Feb 3, 10, 11, 17, 18
Weekday matinees at 10:30 am Jan 30, 31 & Feb. 1 & 2. 6-8, 13-16
Running time is 90 minutes with no intermission
Through February 18, 2007
Young audiences take to Greek myth
Vittum Theater’s Season for Young Audiences is catered to engage children aged preteen through high school. There is always a pre-show workshop were a cast member talks to the kids about the show and its themes followed by a post show talk back. The response was amazing to witness. The kids sure “get” what theatre is attempting to do. Kudos to Vittum Theatre for developing the next generation of theatre lovers. The trick here is to mount lively and interesting shows because kids are a bluntly honest audience. If they don’t like a show, you’ll hear them speak out: “Ma, can’t we go home now?” The opening day audience I witnessed was totally enjoying The Search for Odysseus.
Charles Way, a prolific author of children’s plays, has penned an action packed retelling of Greek mythology based on Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey. There are monsters, goddesses and fantastic lands with ship wrecks, battles, sword fights and funny moments. The play focuses on Odysseus’ teen son Telemachus (the wide-eyed and charming Ricardo Gamboa). He was a new born when Odysseus embarked on the Trojan War. 14 years later the war ends but Odysseus doesn’t return. Telemachus hates Eurymachus (Michael Dailey) who has usurped the thrown as companion to Queen Penelope (Tiffany Villarin), Telemachus’ mother. He sets sail to find his father with the help of a young goddess (Vergia Siovhan).
The adventurous journey is filled with perilous quests. We eagerly join Telemachus because he is a most likable hero. He is a good kid with a fine sense of ethics and an unwavering drive to succeed. Ricardo Gamboa leads an excellent cast through the 90 minute venture. The show is worthy theatre that never plays down to the kids. What it does is sweep them into the show and thoroughly engage them for 90 minutes. Nice work here by all. Take your preteens to see this show. Years later they’ll do the same for their kids. And the cycle goes on.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2007
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