Immersive and interactive theatre can often feel like it is the most avant of the avant-garde… after all, we have to spend a lot of time explaining just what it is to the curious.
Which is why we’re always on the lookout for immersive experiences that can be fun for the whole family. If we can get kids started up early, then we won’t have to spend the next twenty years explaining the difference between “immersive” and “interactive.”
That’s why we’re exited about Peter Michael Marino’s Show Up, Kids!, an interactive show which had a long run in New York City and is making its debut in LA at The Complex Hollywood this weekend.
We talked with the creator about the show via the modern miracle that is email.
No Proscenium: In a nutshell: what is ‘Show Up, Kids!’?
Peter Michael Marino: Show Up, Kids! is an outrageous, interactive, semi-improvised, solo comedy for kids 3–10 years old (and their grown-ups) where they’re in charge of pretty much everything from plot to props, set to sound, and costumes to characters. They provide the content and I do all the work bringing their ideas to life. Plus, there’s songs and clowning. All in 55 sweaty minutes.
NP: How did you come around to making an interactive show for kids?
PMM: This show is actually an adaptation of the adult version, “Show Up,” which I performed all over the world for two years. That show came out of my need to spoof solo shows and to put the audience in charge of the content — as well as my need to “come out” as someone with social anxiety.
I realized that kids also get really anxious about all kinds of things. And a lot of kids are immersed in playing games by themselves on their iPads. I wanted to create a show where they could control the action and express themselves in a funny, live theatre show, without any judgement. So many parents have commented that their usually shy child couldn’t stay in their seat because they wanted to be a part of the interactive story. They HAD to share their ideas. And honestly, the kids’ ideas are better than anything I could ever dream up.
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NP: What might someone who had been to a lot of immersive-interactive work recognize in the show?
PMM: Well, one difference that I have to mention right away is that the audience is seated! Well, except for jumpy the 3-year olds. But, I think immersive and interactive-going audiences will recognize the sorta Choose-Your-Own-Adventure elements of the show. And, they really do control the story. During the show, they choose the props and costumes. They move the set around. I even give them my iPad and they control the music. All of these “offers” are used to the best of my ability, and as a result, the story can go a dozen different ways because of what the crowd gives me.
I often stop mid-scene to ask what happens next. Recently, I was playing a dog character and the doorbell rang. When I opened the door, I asked the audience, “And who was outside that door?” An 8-year old shouts, “A herd of murdering cats!” Seriously. It’s New York City after all. So naturally, I had the cats comically tear the dog to shreds and the rest of the show took place in Doggie Heaven. Even Michael Jackson was there (because I asked them what famous person they wanted to meet). I promise not every show involves violent cats or dead pop stars.
NP: How are you approaching designing for kids?
PMM: Honestly, when I did the first draft of the scripted portions and the songs, they felt like I was talking down to kids. Like, writing a typical kids’ show. I didn’t want to do that. I’m not like that in real life. I talk to babies like we went to college together. So, I went back and re-wrote the script with adults in mind. The setups, the jokes, the children’s’ theater tropes. Even addressing my social anxiety. I workshopped portions with kids to see how they’d respond. And they laughed in all the right places. I’m also really fortunate that my director Michole Biancosino has three kids. The more I did the show, the more the kids gave me the confidence to keep taking bigger risks.
I’ve never done any clown work in my shows and I created a few clown bits for Show Up, Kids!, including not knowing how to use a juice box. It was a 30-second bit, that then became a 4-minute bit because the kids went ballistic with the ridiculousness of a grown man not knowing how to access the juice inside a box. They literally talk me through it and it’s one of my favorite parts because it gives the kids the feeling that they helped someone. That their help resulted in something good. And that’s actually what serves the device of the show. The main attraction isn’t here. I am. I’ve never done a kids’ show. I’m terrified. Okay. Let’s do a show and see what happens.
NP: What do you hope families get out of the experience?
PMM: I hope they have a great time as a family, and as an audience. That they truly have a shared experience — from laughing at the same things, to offering suggestions along the way. This is not a kids’ show where the adults can check their Facebook feed. They’re just as much a part of the show as the kids. And it’s great fun to watch a kid giggle as their dad is pulled up on stage to play Michelle Obama who’s giving me dancing lessons in an antique shop. Yes. This actually happened in the show yesterday.
Show Up, Kids! shows up at The Complex Hollywood, 6468 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles this weekend and next.
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