What do you get when you add a playful balloon, fun storyline, and engaging comedy? The Rose Theater’s latest show Balloonacy, an entertaining pantomime intended for the youngest audiences.
I attended the preview show with my young daughter, along with several preschool classes from an elementary school. Laughter filled the audience from the beginning to the end, with enthusiastic participation and engagement in the story.
Balloonacy is a wonderful show centered around friendship and imagination. This one-man show features Rose actor Kevin Ehrhart, as a solitary man planning to spend another birthday alone. Suddenly, a balloon appears who is determined to be his friend. Through a variety of fun-filled interactions, the old man learns to play again and discovers the importance of friendship.
This fun and sweet story is full of physical comedy and pantomime that is easy to understand for the youngest viewers, and enjoyable for everyone. Balloonacy communicates its heart-warming message without any dialogue, but with the actor’s excellent movement and pantomime, the story was easy to follow along, and kept the audience’s attention.
Younger Audiences
One of the unique aspects of the show is that it is created specifically for a younger audience. There are no scary noises or actions, the music is gentle, and there are no blackouts.
Balloonacy is staged in The Rose Theater’s Hitchcock Stage (their blackbox theater), which provides a more comfortable setting for younger audiences. Each seat offers an excellent view, and feels close to the stage, encouraging more interaction.
Audience Participation
Another unique aspect of Balloonacy is the audience participation. Children are actively engaged in the play, invited to offer suggestions and share ideas for interactions between the man and the balloon. The audience was able to ask and answer questions with the story guide, who helped to explain part of the story and some of the behind the scenes ‘secrets’.
The highlight came at the end, when children were invited onstage to join in the birthday celebration. They danced and laughed onstage, truly making them feel as if they were part of the show.
Balloonacy is enjoyable, light-hearted, and entertaining for audiences of all ages. My daughter laughed throughout the show, and followed along with the story. Through the excellent acting and fun interactions, the audience was drawn in, joining in the story of the friendship between the man and the balloon.
“In the end, we hope that Balloonacy lifts your spirit and draws a big smile on your face.”
~ Matthew Gutschick, Director
“Balloonacy” at The Rose Theater:
Performances (Length: 45 minutes): Saturday, January 18: 10:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, January 25: 10:30 a.m.; Saturday, February 1, 10:30 a.m.
Recommended Audience: Families with children ages 2 – 8.
Tickets: $10 general admission
Purchase Tickets: Call (402) 345-4849 or purchase online here.
Disclosure: Many thanks to The Rose Theater for offering this fantastic show, sponsoring this post, and providing tickets to the preview show to facilitate the review.