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'Tortoise' not slow but steady in jokes
Magic Theater's latest play is 'The Tortoise and the Hare'
Despite the moral of the story, The Magic Theater's "Tortoise and the Hare" is a fast-moving tale.
Since Magic Theater productions are made primarily for children, a quicker pace is necessary to maintain interest. "Children enjoy fast-moving stories better, so 'The Tortoise and the Hare' is constantly moving and running," said the play's director, John Trent.
This is in contrast to the moral of "The Tortoise and the Hare," which is that slow and steady wins the race.
The Magic Theater's "The Tortoise and the Hare" runs Saturdays through Feb. 21.
That race in particular is the main plot thread of "Tortoise and the Hare." The story concerns a slow tortoise and a quick hare.
The hare mocks the tortoise for being slow, so the tortoise challenges the hare to a race. During the race, the hare obviously gains a huge lead over the tortoise. Recognizing his lead, the hare stops to nap.
Unfortunately for the hare, the tortoise maintains his slow but steady pace and passes the hare, winning the race.
The Magic Theater's take on this story is largely the same, with some slight differences, according to Trent. The differences are the hare getting distracted while racing, and that a snail, caterpillar and crab are also part of the race.
"I thought it would be fun (to write this)," Trent said. "I like the idea of the hare being arrogant and thinking he can win, so he gets kind of relaxed and laid back, while the tortoise is persistent, keeps moving forward and wins."
The cast of "The Tortoise and the Hare" includes Mary Navarro as Tortoise, Brandon Graham as Hare, Darien Torrison as Snail, Dana Trent as Caterpillar, Christina Paulson-Louk as Crab and Mike Pugh as the Man.
"It's going to be a good time," Trent said. "There's lots of stuff for kids and adults alike. There are jokes that adults will get, and the kids will enjoy the slapstick."
"The Tortoise and the Hare"
Times: 1 and 3 p.m. Saturdays; runs to Feb. 21
Where: The Magic Theater, 815 B St., Yuba City
Tickets: $5. Call 751-1100
