Playful ‘Toy Shelf’ delights, no matter what one’s age
Ballet Spokane’s “The Toy Shelf” brought together the perfect combination for a successful performance on Friday evening. The nearly sold-out house was filled with moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas, and – most importantly – children. On stage was a toy shop, a storyteller, and a stage full of dancing animals and beloved toys.
It’s obvious when a ballet works for children. They are quiet, they are involved, and they respond to the action on stage. During the “Puss ‘n’ Boots” sequence, one little boy in the audience said, “Meow!” The audience erupted with laughter.
The one-hour ballet featured children dancing as children, children dancing as animals in colorful costumes and adult members of Ballet Spokane. Together they created a living fairy tale. As narrator John Hart told the story, he moved from place to place around Interplayers’ thrust stage. He explained the plot, asked questions of the children in the audience and made sure no one got lost in the complicated storyline and diverse choreography created by artistic director Janet Wilder.
In Wilder’s story, children visit a magical toy shop. The toy maker, acted by Christopher Lamb, and elves – aptly danced by Marcy Ray and Emily Schmedding – invite the children to dance and to watch the magical toys perform. After the children leave, burglars break into the shop, steal toys and rip the storybook to pieces. The elves try to put the book back together, but they cannot read so they confuse what character goes into which story. This results in some humorous combinations. Eventually, with the help of the dolls, the toy maker is able to put all the stories into their original sequence.
The schoolchildren and animals were played by 35 youngsters from elementary schools and local dance studios. Each listened and reacted to phrasing in the music and performed, if not with complete accuracy, certainly with aplomb. For those accomplishments, kudos to Wilder and her rehearsal mistress and assistant artistic director Phaedra Jarrett.
In addition, Jarrett danced several roles – the white cat with Mark Lindsay in “Puss ‘n’ Boots,” a Tarantella Doll with Natalie Springel, and Cinderella with Ryan Callan. Jarrett is a former principal dancer with Oakland Ballet. She is a must-see.
Springel also turned in exceptional performances as Goldilocks and Bo Peep. The lyricism of her movements, enhanced by her exquisite form and on-center turns, make her an outstanding young performer. Callan and Mark Lindsey also turned in marvelous performances as various characters in the pantheon of toys.
If you haven’t seen “The Toy Shelf,” invite a friend – young or young-at-heart – to join you, and don’t miss the magic moments of this charming ballet.