Theater Simple Opens THE ADVENTURES OF OWL & PUSSYCAT Today

theater simple presents The Adventures of OWL & PUSSYCAT, a ricochet off Edward Lear ~ their FIFTH theatrical park adventure created for parks and gardens in King County. theater simple returns with wit, puns a rolling pea-green boat and a ukelele ~ The Adventures of Owl and Pussycat illuminate the adventures of love, as well as a love of adventure for Owl & his amour, Pussycat. Fur, feathers, and puns will fly. (Pigs will not.) Hijinks ensue! - Guaranteed.

Created for all ages, a variety of storytelling tactics is mashed up with poetry, songs, puppets and an ample serving of sass. All-encompassing, poetry-generating and visually a stunner, these Adventures are for everyone with a curious mind, a generous heart and a playful love of words.

The Adventures of O&P imagines the escapades that happened in-between the lines of the famous Edward Lear poem. Landing somewhere between Lear's imagination, a Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon and the actual park where you see the performance, audiences discover an unknown history created by brainstorming the phrase 'what-if' mashed-up with Shakespeare, vaudeville, music and the many creative artists, who created this experience.

CONFIRMED PARK PERFORMANCES of The Adventures of OWL & PUSSYCAT will be:

- July 28, 2013 11a-2pm pop-up performances at the Auburn Farmer's Market , Auburn, Sound Transit Station

- Aug 3-4 at 5pm at the Carl S English Botanical Gardens at The Ballard Locks, 3015 NW 54th St, Seattle, WA 98107

- Aug 11 at 1pm In Kent in the Herbert Bayer Earthwork at Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks Park, 742 E. Titus, Kent WA

- And two more - West Seattle (Aug 21) and Mercer Island (Sept 8) - exact locations and dates to be confirmed.

The adventure itself lasts about 70 minutes. There is approximately 30 minutes of PREshow (optional) activities. And we eat cookies post-show. Cost: We're PRICELESS (FREE!) but will gratefully accept donations to defray our costs.

Also - BUMBERSHOOT SIGHTINGS! OWL & PUSSYCAT: The indoor show - a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT BEAST! Aug 31 at 2:15pm and Sept 2 at 4pm in the Center House Theater (you'll probably glimpse us roaming the grounds just beforehand).

An award-winning, internationally acclaimed professional company, theater simple has goals that match its name: to strip the theatrical experience down to its elemental parts-the imagination of the actor and audience, the playwright's words, and the director's vision. Founded in Seattle in 1990, theater simple has been performing and touring internationally since 1991. Since then, the company has built six theaters in Seattle and Australia and produced over 30 plays in four countries on three continents.

Find event info updates: facebook.com/theatersimple (But keep an eye on theatersimple.org (new website coming). The Adventures of OWL & PUSSYCAT is supported by 4Culture. theater simple is a partner artist of SHUNPIKE.

CREATIVE TEAM:

We have a uniquely-created show, that consists of many 'story beads' that pop together and apart in various ways, depending on the park. Many hands created this experience, in many ways small and profound.

Writers: with contributions by Elaine Avila, Vince Delaney, Heather Persinger, and the theater simpletons

Designed by: Doris Black (costumes), Sky Darwin and Dan Schuy (set pieces and props)

Music: Bill and ArlIna Clark + others

Direction and choreography: Meghan Arnette, Rebecca Katz Harwood and Christian Swenson

Puppets: Gavin Cummins and Annie Staats

CAST: Ricky Coates (Pig), Kasey Harrison (Turkey), Llysa Holland (Pussycat) and Andrew Litzky (Owl)

Some helpful hints:

What age group will enjoy this show? From babes in arms to grandparents toting them, there will be something to appeal to literally everyone. Kids who are verbally and physically active, and between the ages of 4-12 will probably have the most ACTIVE fun, but there are moments of cloud-watching and poem-listening, love-poem(or love picture) writing, songs taught, dances danced and sharks and minnows tagged in-between. There a puns and riddles for folks who like language, costumes and spectacle for visual action, and beautiful parks to spend some time in. And a unique adventure about friends and friendship and love.

How early should folks get there? People should understand it is an adventure - we get up from where we start the show and travel around the park. We will have a volunteer watching the 'home' area, so picnics etc may be left, but please leave valuables at home and travel lightly. It's a friendly crowd - we encourage families and groups of friends - be there at least 15 minutes before, so you and your child can participate in some of the preshow activities.

The performances are all BY DONATION, so while they are PRICELESS, we still have many costs to cover! Please consider how you value your pleasure and time in our art and creation, and help support our unique vision.

Is there food available to buy? Well, nearby, or on the way, but not onsite, really. We're fans of picnics, so Picnics Encouraged. Or perhaps bring special snacks for after the adventure, so everyone can share their adventure stories as well as treats afterward.

What is the best link for directions for the various stages and where are the best places to park? For the Locks - http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/LocksandDams/ChittendenLocks.aspx

Parking at the Locks: Parking at the Locks on a Sunday is FREE, and busy. There is also parking in the neighborhoods nearby.

Do you have any inside tips for this show? Read the poems of Edward Lear! The Owl and The Pussycat obviously, but also - The Duck and the Kangaroo, and The Jumblies. And other than a picnic and your blankets, travelling light is useful, as we move around the parks. Most of all, come with a sense of discovery and wonder. And perhaps practice your haiku skills... :) Seriously. (Love poems power the boat, and we'll need to make sure it doesn't run out of steam...)

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