BWW Reviews: RAINFOREST ADVENTURES Brings the Wonderment of the Rainforest to Young Audiences

The newest show at the Center For Puppetry Arts provides a colorful documentary of many of the plants and animals that survive in the rainforests in both Asia and the Amazon. Throughout the show, plants bloom and animals scurry, jump and fly around the stage while telling the story of a day in the Amazon rainforest.

Written by Jon Ludwig, Stephanie Kaskel Bogle and Raylynn Hughes, the show is set to an original score written by John Cerreta. The music is perfectly crafted to accentuate the movements of the puppeteers directed by Jon Ludwig. The scenic design created by Adam Pagdon, Eric Novak and Leslie Taylor provides many different levels and playing space for the puppeteers to create this rainforest world.

As the show progresses, the names of the different animals and plants featured are announced during each of the segments so young audiences know the names of the different wildlife. Very little narrative is provided throughout the show so the audience relies on the movements of the puppets to gain the story of the rainforest. This does make it difficult for some younger audience members to stay engaged throughout the whole show, but even the slow moments of the show are quickly followed by interesting visual aspects that regain the attention of the audience.

Rainforest Adventures features a Czech Republic based style of puppetry known as Czech-black theater technique. In this method, the puppeteers perform in front of an all-black background while wearing black velour from head to toe so the puppeteer is disguised while handling the puppets. Light shines from directly above the stage. The puppeteers place the puppets into the light so the puppets can be seen. Many of the puppets are also designed so they can be seen in ultraviolet light.

The show also features many different kinds of puppets as well. From hand puppets, to puppets that are manipulated by hand and rod, and to full body puppets, the puppeteers are skilled at teamwork as they work together operate the different types of puppets. Brian Harrison, Seth Langer, Reay Kaplan, Amy Sweeney and Tim Sweeney are accomplished in creating the rainforest world of Rainforest Adventures.

Rainforest Adventures plays at the Center For Puppetry Arts (1404 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, Ga, 30309) January 29- March 15, 2015, with performances Tuesday through Sunday. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Center at (404) 873-3391 or at www.puppet.org.

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