Barnyard Madness – Review and Giveaway

Review by Tania Lieman

On Saturday (courtesy of MJ and Natural Travelling Momma blog) my six year-old daughter and almost two year-old son and I saw the Santa Monica Playhouse production of Barnyard Madness with the Three Little Pigs. It’s a fast paced, all singing-all dancing musical theatre romp that puts a new spin on the old tail (tale) with a Romeo and Juliet storyline. It’s full of porky puns and wolfish wit to keep the adults entertained and an array of endearing animal characters beautifully performed with good ol’ country accents that mesmerised my children. The simple message that pigs and wolfs can be friends despite their differences was conveyed with snappy lyrics and dialogue.

The actors mingled with the crowd beforehand connecting with genuine warmth and humour. My daughter stood holding hands with the French female Big Bad Wolf for ages, in complete trust and totally won over. The actor’s respectful and approachable manner together with the charming theatre made for a rich theatre going experience.

The actors certainly were busy, simultaneously running a birthday party after running Saturday morning classes and interacting before, during intermission, and after the show. The Playhouse has a long history and we were told how they are currently hit upon by hard times. Would be a shame to see a theatre with such a big heart and a local business and icon fold. Barnyard Madness was designed as an educational show but for a public audience it had all the right ingredients for good old-fashioned entertainment and the audience was definitely invited in to share the fun.

*Natural Traveling Momma is excited to offer a chance for two readers to win two tickets to see any upcoming show of Barnyard Madness with The Three Little Pigs at the Santa Monica Playhouse. It runs Saturday and Sunday at 12:30PM and 3PM until May 22nd, 2011. The suggested age for the show is 2-102. Tickets are normally $12.50 for adults and $10.50 for children 12 years and under.

Want more information of the show, click on to the link:

http://www.santamonicaplayhouse.com/shows_piggies.htm

If you would like to enter the giveaway, please comment below. If you click on to the link above regarding details of the show, comment again below and you’ll gain another entry. Good luck! This giveaway ends Friday, March 18th at 5PM.

UPDATE: Congratulations Kathy, Connor’s mother and Edie – you’ve both one two tickets to see any upcoming show of Barnyard Madness! I’ve emailed you privately.