My 4-year-old son Wes loves penguins. As soon as I read that the play “A Sick Day for Amos McGee” featured a penguin in a starring role, I knew we had to go.
Our family has developed a habit of going to plays at The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, and every so often they’ll ask me when we are going again. I couldn’t, in good conscience, let this one pass us by. I’m so glad we didn’t!
Wes (leaning forward) with Wade, Johnny to his right
The puppets featured in “A Sick Day for Amos McGee” alone were worth the trip. The show, which was adapted from the children’s book by Philip C. Stead, features an entire cast of animals – the penguin, of course, an elephant, a rhino, a tortoise, and an owl. The way the puppets were crafted and actors’ costumes made is so creative. You might recognize the creator Magda Guichard’s work from “Shrek” last season when she made “Dragon” and “Gingy.”
Watching the actors so seamlessly incorporate the puppets into their role as “narrators” was fascinating to see. And music that accompanies the show tells a big part of the story too, helping to bring it all to life.
The whole operation featured three actors and a simple but festive set. The actors themselves transformed the scene with the twist of a lamp post or turn of a table. It all made sense when I found out that this is a traveling show and these actors will take “A Sick Day for Amos McGee” on the road once its run ends in Charlotte this week.
The show runs from Thursday through Sunday at the Wells Fargo Playhouse (the smaller theatre on the right end as you enter ImaginOn.) For ticket information, click here.
Johnny (left), Mama, Wes and Wade before the show
The show is great for Pre-K up to first grade. It lasts only 45 minutes and does not have an intermission. It’s an easy in and out. The plot is simplistic – which is part of why it’s targeted for children as young as Pre-K – but the message of kindness is so important. And for me, just having our boys sitting in an audience, learning not to fidget and disrupt other people is such great practice.
Our kids just loved watching the puppets in action. Seeing Wes’ face light up every time the spotlight focused on the penguin was my highlight.
“It was good,” Wes said afterward with a smile, not waiting for me to ask what he thought.
His brothers Wade, 6, and Wes’ twin brother Johnny 4, chose the tortoise as their favorite animals in the play.
“His neck was so cool,” Wade said.
I agreed.
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