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Category: Kids

“Cat in the Hat”— An English/Spanish Riot, at BACT, Berkeley

“Cat in the Hat”— An English/Spanish Riot, at BACT, Berkeley

Millennial Notes Karina Gutierrez Mixes Magic & Mayhem, Perfectly by Rosa del Duca The first page of Dr. Suess’s “Cat in the Hat” springs  to life in  the opening scene of Bay Area Children’s Theatre’s  bilingual  “El Gato Ensombrerado.” There’s that window, in signature Dr. Seuss style, where Sally (mischievous, high-energy Carolina Morones) and The Boy (endearing, energetic Daniel Quezada) sit  glumly, staring out at the rain. And then, in a set transformation that evokes a cinematic zoom, we are…

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“Pete the Cat” Thrills Kids, at BACT, Berkeley

“Pete the Cat” Thrills Kids, at BACT, Berkeley

Zachary Hasbany Brings Favorite Cat to Life by Rosa del Duca In the throes of an epic rock guitar solo, Pete the Cat (dynamic, compelling Zachary Hasbany) does not see the cat catcher until too late. Pete is whisked away from his band mates and placed with the Biddle family. Pete is less than thrilled to become a house cat, and the Biddles are puzzled by Pete’s unorthodox ways. He loves to “jam.” He’s a bed hog and easily forgets…

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“Ragtime,” the Musical, Stuns and Wows, at Berkeley Playhouse

“Ragtime,” the Musical, Stuns and Wows, at Berkeley Playhouse

Terrence McNally’s Jazz Age Portrait Perfect for Now! by Cindi Stephan A stellar cast performs a magnificent Tony Award winning musical at just the right time. As the U.S. nears a breaking point, Berkeley Playhouse’s “Ragtime” shows Americans working against inequality and injustice. Musical movements and social change go hand in hand, and the 20s Ragtime Era explodes onstage with race, class and gender struggles, “giving the nation / a new syncopation.” The full title tells the tale: “Ragtime, the…

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“The Secret in the Wings” Spins a Magical Tale, at CCCT, El Cerrito

“The Secret in the Wings” Spins a Magical Tale, at CCCT, El Cerrito

Mary Zimmerman’s Fairy Tale Tapestry Weaves Light and Dark by John Chakan Once upon a time… We all remember sitting under the covers, listening to Mom or Dad or Great Uncle Harry read us a bedtime story. As a child, I used to put myself into the fairy tales: fighting the giant, outsmarting the witch, and always, always living happily ever after. We can do it again with Mary Zimmerman’s “The Secret in the Wings” at Contra Costa Civic Theatre….

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