They say that dying is easy, but comedy is hard. For twenty-six seasons the Seattle Children's Theatre has consistently been delivering shows which are geared towards children without catering or stooping to a supposed 'childish' level of what said audience will accept, all the while managing to present entertainment which older chaperones will enjoy as well. Their latest work, the world premier of Sideways Stories from the Wayside School upholds this tradition by being entertaining for the intended audience, namely young theater-goers, as well as being engaging to those who brought them to the show.
Wicked teachers turn students to apples.
Public address systems sprout mouths and tongues and warn of wandering cows. Katie Forgette, Kimber Lee, J ason Collins, Lisa Strum and Michael Black. A great deal of that is due to a stellar adaptation by John Olive which perfectly captures the fantastical aspects of the material while turning the highly episodic events of the books into a moderately through-line driven drama. Olive also manages the difficult feat of providing backstory without resorting to boring narrative, thus acquainting those of us unfamiliar with the Wayside School with the weird world it inhabits. The cast is excellent and appears to be having a great time.