Everett, Wash.
Published: Friday, May 9, 2008

Seattle Children's Theatre brings Scarry stories to life

By Alice Kalso
Special to The Herald

 SEATTLE -- At nearly 4 years old, Kylie Neal of Mill Creek understandably has little experience with live drama. Last weekend, though, she attended "Busytown," the season finale of Seattle Children's Theatre. Glued to her seat for the 90-minute performance, she sat still except for a few whispers to Grandma.

What did Kylie like best?

"I liked the laughing."

She wasn't the only one. Giggles, chuckles and guffaws from a multigenerational audience mark the entire musical production, which features strong acting, singing and dancing by a six-member cast who play multiple roles with energy and panache. The play is based on a children's book, "What Do People Do All Day?" by award-winning author and illustrator Richard Scarry. Like all the Scarry books, "What Do People Do All Day?" is packed with cartoon-like illustrations of animal characters in everyday situations.

Writing and illustrating a children's book of unrelated stories is one thing. Crafting a satisfying script with a pleasing plot is another. Playwright Kevin Kling wisely took the best of Scarry and made some changes. He beefed up several of the characters, particularly young Huckle Cat and Betsy Bear, who forge a friendship and help each other.

The action begins with Huckle Cat asking the many characters of Busytown the leading question, "What do you do all day?" He learns that Farmer Alfalfa plants, harvests and delivers crops to Grocer Cat, who sells them to his customers. Huckle then watches a house being built, the postman delivering mail, etc. Most scenes feature an engaging song, with words by Kling and music by Michael Koerner.

Once the sense of place and people is established, Betsy Bear is introduced. She has one desire: to send a letter to her grandmother who lives far away. Betsy wants Grandma to come to Busytown to celebrate Grandma's birthday. Betsy's letter travels a circuitous route, with Lowly Worm making sure the letter makes it to the next stop. Along the way, Lowly meets some interesting characters.

Meanwhile, Huckle Cat decides to make a cake for Grandma's birthday, only to practically burn his house down. Able Baker Charlie comes to the rescue, aided by his flaky cake decorator Humperdink. The pair is responsible for a few hilarious bakery scenes. By the time Grandma finally arrives in town, Huckle and Betsy the Bear are convinced of the value of cooperation.

This show is a wonderful tribute to the Scarry legacy. Jennifer Lupton's amazing set is a dead ringer for the book's rendering of Busytown. Two-dimensional vehicles of all kinds -- a pickle car, a pencil car and an airplane car -- whizz into view at the most surprising times, giving the audience the same sensation of "busyness" evoked by Scarry's book.

Linda Hartzell's direction is exceptional. So is Marianne Roberts' choreography. Kudos for the remarkable cast in making Scarry's animals come to life. This is an engaging play for humans from 4 to four score.
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