To: marydeck57-AT-sbcglobal.net
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 09:23:47 GMT
Cc: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: [Puptcrit] Joe Goode Performance Group presents WONDERBOY on tour


This evening I was on e-mail trying to get the phone number for the Barclay Theatre Box Office at the University of California Irvine campus. Then I called the phone number and was on hold for about 8 or 9 minutes (my call was answered in order of first caller, second caller, etc., etc). FINALLY I learned there would be available tickets at the box office. I walked the dogs FAST, put 'em back indoors and drove off to Irvine with a stop in Altadena to get some cash at an ATM. At 7:50 p.m.I got a front row BALCONY seat for $38, but saved the $7 parking fee by parking a block away at a shopping center. The cheaper seats were $32 for a performance by the Joe Goode performance group from SF.

I had one of the best seats in the house.

123.3 miles round trip frm Altadena. 

The first number ran about 30 minutes---a western theme complete with fence props and cowboy hats. A brief pause, followed by the 40 minute WONDERBOY which debuted in SF last year to favorable reviews. A bunraku-style "Wonderboy" puppet by Basil Twist, animated from time to time by 1 up to 4 dancers, or left alone sitting at a window watching the 6 dancers.

Even the window moves about the stage from time to time. 

There are amusing touches giving legitimate laughter to the audience, and there is amazing interweaving among the dancers, sometimes synchronized and sometimes contasting. My eyes enjoyed every minute.

Towards the end, the puppet dances with the people, and finally at the end he flies in the air thanks to  black rods operated by all 6 dancers---the rods were attached just for this ending.

Since I went primarily for this puppet dance, it cost me almost $1 a minute plus getting there & back. I did feel it was worth it. Strong applause from the audience confirmed that the audience enjoyed it.

The full program is 70 minutes. For both numbers, the dancers speak, sing and move and at times there is recorded music & percussion or a bell note.

 Joe Goode had choreographed the actors in SF for THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME directed by Basil Twist with his puppet cast at the Magic Theatre at Ft Mason, which in time led to this 2d collabration with Basil Twist.

The group is on tour---last Wednesday they were in Riverside CA (no tickets available then since some classes were required to attend) and the performance space was limited by a construction project there.

Joe Goode has a webpage listing the tour stops at Washington University, St Louis Feb 20-21, Jackson, WY Feb 28, Houston TX March 6, Boston March 14, Ft Wayne IN April 18, Joyce Theatre in NYC April 22-26 and College Park MD May 1 & 2.

If you live near any of the performance sites you might find the show as intriguing as did I. Each dancer at some point or another provides the voice for Wonderboy, the "lonely, sensitive" creature who finds beauty in the world. The way the dancers integrate their moves with the puppet motions was a lovely sight. I think most puppeteers would benefit from making special effort to see Wonderboy. 

After the program, I asked an older lady usher what she thought. "It wasn't her cup of tea". But for me, I would not have minded a second cup.

ALAN COOK


-----Original Message-----
From: Mary Decker
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 5:10 PM
To: Alan Cook
Subject: Hey... I'm dyin'

Git yer butt off them thar phone.


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