Saturday, September 03, 2005

4-ish - Play at CTC review

Description: Don't blink! You don't want to miss one zoom, whoosh, flip, leap and twist of this internationally acclaimed dance and skate spectacular created by the world's leading skaters, djs and hip-hop dancers.

Amsterdam's hottest young troupe, ISH, brings unparalled talent, explosive energy and fearless skill to this performance filled with humor, inline skating, acrobatics and martial arts. And one ultra fine beatboxer. So eyes on the halfpipes. And sit tight. This is going to be one wild theatrical ride.

Reality: Tonight we went to the opening of 4-ish at the Children's Theatre Company. It was my parents, Banana, her parents, and her aunt. After a mix up as to which seats we were supposed to be in, we got settled in for what I was expecting to be a long evening. My preconceptions were quite wrong, and I was astounded by the brillance of the performance tonight. This ranks pretty high on the most spectacular and entertaining event I have ever witnessed. There was stellar dancing, precision skating, perfectly timed martial arts (which was also one of the funniest segments of the show), a very skilled DJ, and as the description above aptly claims, an ultra fine beatboxer (who is the most brillant of all the jewels in this show). From beginning to end, this was pure captivation, absolute enthrallment. So rarely in this day and age does something come even close to living up to it's billing. This surpassed it's billing. I don't even know if I can put into words the level of excellence exhibited tonight. The crowd was loud and into it. This is the first play I have ever attended where the performers not only got a standing ovation, but they got a SCREAMING ovation! It was that good. Even if you don't like skating, dancing, music, drama or humor, you will like this show. If you have a pulse, you will like this show. There is no reason this show should not be selling out, requiring additional performances to be added. If you live within a few hundred miles of Minneapolis, it's worth the trip (even at $3.00 per gallon of gas!). Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, this is not to be missed. If you don't live in the Minneapolis area, keep on the look out for this to come to a town near you. Even my middle aged, white, middle America parents were blown away. They even felt that my GRANDPARENTS would appreciate this show (other than the sound levels). Ages 8-Up will be rocked by this show!

The Star Tribune Review

Theatre Information:
Children's Theatre Company
2400 Third Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404-3597
Box Office: 612.874.0400

And to top off a wonderful evening, we all went to the original Buca di Beppo's restaurant in downtown Minneapolis. Chicken with Lemon, Green Beans, and Spaghatti with meat sauce.

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