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Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Fringe Festival 2015: "Parent Observation Day"

Day: 6

Show: 26


Category: Dance

By: Sparkle Productions

Created by: Alejandra Ianonne and Rick Ausland

Location: Ritz Theater Proscenium

Summary: A children's ballet class prepares to dance for their parents.

Highlights: This show is super delightful as eight adult dancers (Albert Conteh, Ashley Akpaka, Brittany Marie Wilson, Daniel Bergmann, Heather Pallas, Joann Oudekerk, Neal Beckman, and Nick J. Meyerson) play the child dancers who are just as scattered, exuberant, awkward, and joyous as any child in a dance class. Teacher Miss Tiffany (an appealing Emily Bridges) attempts to keep the kids on track as she leads them through various exercises and rehearses the big dance itself, ending in a performance for parents. I've neither been nor had a child in dance class, but I've seen enough Facebook videos to know that this show is pretty on the mark. It's a pretty simple concept for a show, but it's so much fun to watch these big kids play and dance around stage with a childlike enthusiasm as their adoring yet exasperated teacher looks on.