Last year, it was life-size, glow-in-the dark puppets telling the story of The Ugly Duckling, courtesy of Lightwire Theater out of New Orleans, that amazed kids of all ages.
The fun continues when Portland-based puppet theatre company Tears of Joy Theatre comes to Vernon with a steampunk version of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
Children of all ages will be holding their breath as they submerge themselves in the underwater adventure at the Vernon Performing Arts Centre’s next kids series show, Jan. 26.
Based on the Jules Verne classic, the production is said to feature some of the most exciting scenes from the book, combined with humour and the science and technology imagined by Verne.
The show features two very enthusiastic Verne fans, who tell the story of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea like it’s never been told before, said Tears of Joy artistic director Nancy Aldrich.
“20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is one of the most exciting productions we’ve ever built,” she said. “Captain Nemo and Professor Aronnax visit Antarctica, witness amazing sea life, survive an attack from a giant squid, and discover the lost city of Atlantis.”
Aesthetically, designer Jason Miranda has embraced the steampunk genre (described in the Urban dictionary as “a subgenre of speculative fiction, usually set in an anachronistic Victorian or quasi-Victorian alternate history setting.”)
Miranda’s designs, including the Nautilus and the puppet costumes, show prominent gears and mechanisms.
“Tears of Joy Theatre has always been great at showing how things work,” said Miranda. “The puppeteers are thrilled to show you how they operate the sets and puppets. It encourages learning and discovery. You’re seeing what makes it move.”
Tears of Joy Theatre is recognized as one of North America’s outstanding puppet theatres, known internationally for its innovation and excellence. They received a Washington State Governor’s Arts Award and a Young Audiences Sunburst Award for “exemplary commitment to arts in education.”
Four of the theatre’s productions have received American puppetry’s highest honour, The Citation of Excellence in the Art of Puppetry, from UNIMA-USA. Portland Magazine named Tears of Joy Theatre Best Kids Theatre – 2012.
This all-new production was written by Jon Ludwig, artistic director of the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, and has been directed by Aldrich, designed by Miranda and features original music by Richard Emmet, former assistant to Frank Zappa.
Tickets for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea are $12 each and can be purchased through the Ticket Seller box office at 250-549-7469 or online at www.ticketseller.ca.
