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MERI SIMON, Times |
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A DOG (Monica Rose Mallory) and a cat (Rick Robinson, Jr.) have a strange encounter in “Bunnicula,” an entertaining yet educational production. |
[from this article published Friday, November 19, 1993 in The Contra Costa Times]
LOVE AT FIRST BITE — The 13-year-old Children's Theatre Workshop, with headquarters in Pleasanton, is making its Walnut Creek debut with “Bunnicula” at the Maggie Crum Theatre. Also scheduled are “Dinosaurus,” opening Feb. 18, and “Anne of Green Gables,” opening April 8.
The Sunday matinee of “Bunnicula” drew an overflow house of kids and mothers and even a few fathers. The story, adapted by James Sie from the book by James and Deborah Howe, follows the adventures of the Monroes, a typical American family of four, “until that fateful night.”
We hear thunder, screams and shrieks. Lurking in the background and swirling his black cape is a very real, but not too fearsome, Dracula. We meet and fall in love with chatty Chester the Cat and Harold the Dog with his curly white coat. We see—can it be?—a Napoleonic figure who carries his handsome, hatted head in his hand. Bunnicula, whose name soon begins to make sense, is an odd little creature who lives in an illuminated box. Could Bunnicula have anything to do with the tomatoes and artichokes that are sucked so dry they turn pure white?
All CTW productions are educational as well as entertaining, and every performance is followed by a question-and-answer session. The company also provides a learning guide, “Upfront,” filled with provocative questions and information about the play that is featured. There's even a “Bunnicula” crossword puzzle.
An ambitious but still portable theatre company, CTW is looking for a permanent home. The company's goals include a family center that brings together arts and education under one roof.
“Bunnicula” continues at 7:30 tonight, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. For tickets, call 846-5400.
