Saturday will be a special time for those who attend the latest installment of the Emporia Arts Council’s performance series.
The extraordinary puppet troupe, Corbian Visual Arts and Dance and Lightwire Theater, will present two standard children’s fables, The Ugly Ducking and The Tortoise and the Hare. The performance is at 3 p.m. at the Granada Theatre, 807 Commercial St.
A majority of the time, theater is presented with live actors in costumes with sets and lighting, and this is no different. However, the stage — and actors — will be completely dressed in black as they animate a puppet frame and props of electroluminescent wire. This creates intense glow-in-the-dark colors and a unique theatrical experience.
The stories and action are age appropriate for the very young and are well-paced. Leigh Witchel of the New York Post wrote in a review: “You can’t get this at the movies or in a DVD. Darwin the Dinosaur teaches us why live theater will never go extinct.”
Broadwayworld.com writers stated: “(this is) an eye-popping display of storytelling that’s like nothing else you’ve ever seen. ... CORBIAN Visual Arts and Dance is a force to be reckoned with.” The L.A. Times wrote in 2009 about CORBIAN’s inaugural Show, Darwin the Dinosaur: “‘Darwin’ is rich in the technologically dazzling visuals that today’s kids relish. It also promotes appreciation for puppetry and movement, art forms that resonate best in live performance.”
The troupe gave a preliminary performance Thursday at Riverside Elementary School; community outreach is always a part of the Emporia Arts Council’s mission.
“The kids just loved it,” said Melissa Windsor, director of the EAC. “It’s mind-boggling what they can do and how entertaining it is, while still teaching through art.”
From the choreography to the music, these tales are treated with respect and given a new life through the latest technology. Creators Corbin Popp and Ian Carney — both professionally trained dancers — collaborate with musicians, actors dancers and production technicians to create these shows.
The Ugly Duckling, by Hans Christian Andersen
Of the five eggs in Mother Duck’s nest, one is the largest and last to hatch. Bigger and paler than the others, this last hatchling is treated as an outsider by Mother Duck and her ducklings. Knowing only rejection, this Ugly Duckling goes out into the wild alone. Reflecting upon his plight under the glow of a remote willow tree, he sees a wily cat creeping in the direction of Mother Duck’s nest. The Ugly Duckling follows and watches as one lagging duckling is captured and taken back to the cat’s lair. In true heroic fashion, this Ugly Duckling succeeds in vanquishing the cat and rescuing the captured duckling. Celebrated by Mother Duck and her ducklings for his uniqueness, all realize that he may have been an ugly duckling, but he has grown into a beautiful and powerful swan.
The Tortoise and the Hare, by Aesop
Ridiculed by the Hare, the Tortoise challenges him to a race. They set off and the Hare takes a commanding lead right away. Thinking he will win easily, the Hare allows himself to be distracted with many modern day activities; texting, video games and the paparazzi, of course. The Tortoise continues to trudge along at his methodical pace and, despite the fact that the Hare is a swifter creature, wins the race due to his discipline and fortitude.
Tickets are available at the EAC, the Granada Coffee Co., Sweet Granada and Emporia Fitness. Adults are $15, youth $10. The show is underwritten by the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. See snippets of a live performance of The Ugly Duckling at www.corbianarts.com.