Everett, Wash.
Published: Friday, March 28, 2008

Native tale of Coyote will captivate every age

By Alice Kalso
Special to The Herald

 SEATTLE -- It's that time again. Seattle Children's Theatre presents its periodic salute to American Indian traditions in a delightful 50-minute, one-man show. John Kauffman's "According to Coyote" opened earlier this month with resounding success. Theatergoers young and old sat riveted as a seasoned storyteller regaled them with legend after legend.

Storyteller Gene Tagaban, himself of American Indian heritage, pulled out all the stops, delivering an exceptional performance as he swept the audience into the land of Coyote, the trickster of American Indian lore. In the American Indian storytelling tradition, Tagaban took the role of actor-narrator.

He didn't just tell the stories -- he jumped right into the action, transforming himself into the wise Great Spirit, the sly Fox and of course Coyote, the main character, who is by turns heroic and sneaky. Tagaban's acting was convincing: Each character had its own unique talk and walk. The audience was hooked as soon as the first story began.

With perfect pacing and seemingly limitless energy, Tagaban segued from one story to another. The action began at the dawn of time, when the Creator sent Coyote down to Earth and gave him his calling: In the words of author Kauffman, "to destroy all the monsters, all the evil beings and to teach everyone how to live."

The next story revealed Coyote's darker side. He took back a gift and later made enemies of the Nighthawks, who killed him. Miraculously, his friend Fox brought him back to life.

Throughout the production, Coyote proved himself a character of paradox, pulling off heroic deeds, often as a result of mishaps while he was trying to pull a fast one on someone. Among his accomplishments: He brought fire and death and the stars, all in an effort to prepare the world for humans. Finally Coyote slew a monster, and from the monster's body created the first human beings.

Tagaban punctuated the performance with American Indian singing, dancing and drumming, all done effortlessly. Kudos to Seattle Children's Theatre for the choice of Kauffman's work and of storyteller Tagaban. Director Sheila Daniels deserves high marks, as does scenic designer Tim Wratten. This is a show that educates and entertains.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA