Rec Room Arts Presents World Premiere of Children's Theater Show

It's a Saturday, 10:30 a.m., and the kids are already driving you nuts. Why not take them to an affordable, interactive sketch show created for the very purpose of entertaining your children? How about we offer you a cup of coffee too or, better yet, a mimosa! Parents and guardians: Rec Room is here to save your weekend...and maybe your life.

Rec Room, Houston's newest performance space nestled in the heart of Downtown Houston, introduces GARBAGE ISLAND, a live, interactive sketch performance for children ages 2-6. GARBAGE ISLAND premieres Saturday, February 18, at 10:30 a.m. and runs Saturdays through March 11; tickets are $10 per child.

Rec Room co-founders Matt Hune and Stephanie Wittels Wachs had the idea to launch a Saturday morning kids show to fill a gap they had found: There were no affordable, theatrical performances in Houston for young children. They approached local playwright (and parent of two toddlers) Abby Koenig, who conceived and wrote GARBAGE ISLAND as a fun and interactive live show that is both silly and educational. In the vein of children's sketch shows, such as You Can't Do That On Television, and The Muppet Show, GARBAGE ISLAND features absurdist humor and improv, as well as audience participation.

"I have a three year-old toddler, and I am constantly looking for fun activities to take her to on the weekends," says Wittels Wachs. "Abby is a good friend and a writer I admire; she also has toddlers, so I knew she would fully grasp the goal of this project."

GARBAGE ISLAND takes place in a literal garbage dump where off-the-wall characters come to life to solve mysteries using creative and critical thinking skills. There is an underlying message of earth consciousness and rubbish reuse. Local singer-songwriter, Greg Cote, hosts the show as Garbage Man Joe, performing original music. Houston actors and Rec Room regulars Dano Colon, Tasha Gorel, and Orlanders Jones, perform as a rotation of multiple characters.

"I had been watching way too much of the old Muppet Show when we started talking about this idea," says Koenig. "The absurdist humor is fantastic for kids, but I am a professor so I wanted it to be educational as well, and Steph and Matt had been talking a lot about the environment and how to incorporate that aspect into the whole thing." And GARBAGE ISLAND was born!

Additionally, the show features pre-recorded video of puppet performance by none other than Houston's esteemed puppeteer, Joel Orr of Bobbindoctrin Puppet Theatre.

The set and costumes are designed using only found materials to further highlight the theme of sustainability. Costumes are designed by Houston Grand Opera costumer, Clair Hummel.

Children are invited to bring an old toy with them every week that may be used during the performance as an improv piece for the actors. As such, no two performances will be the same and the audience is encouraged to return to see how the show changes each week. Each performance will culminate in a big kid dance party, with Garbage Man Joe and the cast.

Tickets are $10 per child ages 2 and above. Children under 2 are free to sit on their parents' lap. Parents watch for free! Coffee and mimosas available at the bar.

Rec Room is located at 100 Jackson St. Metered Street parking is available.

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