SEATTLE – Just in time for Halloween, on a dark and stormy night, a strange creature hops onto the stage. He is part bunny, part vampire and altogether hilarious.
Bunnicula is the star of the current Seattle Children’s Theatre mystery musical by the same name, which first played to record audiences in 1996. Targeted to theater-goers age 5 and older, this first-rate production hit its mark last weekend, amidst giggles and guffaws from a packed house.
The play is a treat, beginning with a fun script adapted by Jon Klein from the easy reader book by Deborah and James Howe. Post-play nightmares for the young set won’t be a problem, either, as this action-packed play ably directed by David Bennett is silly, not scary. Filled with baggy-pants humor, song and dance and featuring fine acting, the play is an utter delight.
Action centers in the Monroe household. From the minute Anthony Curry appears on stage, introducing himself as Harold the dog, it is apparent that the pets, not the humans, set the pace. Curry is thoroughly convincing as the somewhat thick-headed but likable Harold. He is joined by his friend Chester the Cat, equally well-played by Sarah Harlett. Chester rules the home from her perch on top of the easy chair. A take-charge, type-A all the way, Chester’s claim to fame is an overactive imagination coupled with a great love for books. (Harold just likes to eat books.)
Enter Bunnicula, an abandoned baby bunny whom the family found at a movie showing of “Dracula.” Bunnicula is a three-dimensional puppet, crafted and operated by puppet master Douglas N. Paasch. The Monroes dote on the new arrival, and Chester and Harold are understandably miffed. Left alone, Chester and Harold size up the new furry friend. Something is amiss.
Bunnicula has fangs, and black markings that resemble a cape. And that’s not all. At night when the humans are asleep, Bunnicula disappears from a locked cage. And in the morning, the Monroes find a white tomato in their refrigerator, sucked of its juices. The next day they discover a white zucchini and, later still, other albino vegetables.
Convinced Bunnicula is a vampire that will suck the lifeblood of animals and people as well as vegetables, Chester aims to warn the humans of the impending doom. Harold goes along for the ride.
Without giving away the ending, suffice it to say that the ride is hilarious, thanks to the amazing chemistry between cat and dog, and their inadequate attempts to communicate with humans. Probably the funniest scene occurs when Chester, through actions, tries to convey to the humans the danger Bunnicula presents. On tiptoe, sporting a tablecloth for a cape, Chester attempts a vampire-like stance. Mrs. Monroe, though, hasn’t a clue. Thinking he is chilled, she pulls out the dreaded “Kitty sweater,” much to Chester’s exasperation.
In another hilarious scene, Harold reads to Chester from a book on vampires that the way to kill a vampire is to insert a sharp stake in its heart. Would a beef steak work? Chester tries it, and only gets time-out for the night from Mrs. Monroe for his efforts.
Throughout the play, lively music by Chris Jeffries and choreography by Kathryn Van Meter keep everything rolling along. All in all, “Bunnicula” is a wonderful way for children and their families to spend a dark and stormy night.
“Bunnicula”: A Seattle Children’s Theatre production through Dec. 19 at Eve Alvord Theatre, Seattle Center. $17-$26, 206-441-3322, www.sct.org.
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