Centerstage produced its seventh annual pantomime in the full British tradition with quick-witted humor and groaners aplenty.
The Federal Way theater’s holiday “panto” tosses the “Jack and the Beanstalk” story onto its face in this family-friendly spoof that has all the classics – men dressed as women, women dressed as dudes and mild potty humor that hits funny bones at all levels and ages.
The Centerstage version of the fabled story of a boy with magic bean was written by Paul Hendy and roughly follows the classic. Directed by Roger Curtis, it adds several goofs and gags and one liners and local references. Oh yeah, there is also a tap-dancing cow and retooled versions of rock ballads.
Anchoring the show in the title role is the spritely talented Anna Clausen, an actress trained at the University of Miami who also appeared at Centerstage in “Aladdin and Cuff Me,” the parody of “50 Shades of Grey.” She has been acting in Seattle since she was 10 years old and also has appeared at Eclectic Theater and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. She is perfect in the boyish role and has both the energy and child-like mannerisms that added depth to the character. But she also has a powerful voice and stage presence that commands attention.
The scene stealer of the show is easily Alan Bryce in the cross-dressing role of Jack’s mother. It was comedic gold.
One drawback to the show, however, is its length. At more than two and a half hours, even machine-gun belly laughs get worn out, forcing audiences to shift in their seats and check their watches. Children laugh as hard at the end as they do at the beginning, but they wiggle after the second act gets underway. The script could have used a cleaver to hack through the side jokes and misdirects. But the cast, supported by Kate Alden, Joshua Williamson, Dale Bowers and Brynne Geiszler, held up well against the weight of such a long and high-energy show. That’s thanks to the solid musical direction by Josh Zimmerman and the tight choreography by Amy Johnson that played off Steffon Moody’s set and Deb Skorstad's costumes.
All in all, it is a show worth seeing. Just reserve tickets since the show routinely sells out. Tickets are available by phone at (253) 661-1444, or online at http://www.centerstagetheatre.com, and in person at the Knutzen Family Theatre box office. Single tickets are $30 for adults; $25 for seniors and military; and $10 ticket for 18 years and younger. Performances are Fridays at 7 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. through Dec. 21. The theater is located at 3200 Dash Point Rd.