Onstage & Backstage: At the Night Owl Theater - Hardcover

Hayes, Ann

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0152007822 ISBN 13: 9780152007829

Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books, 1997

Synopsis

Offers a behind-the-scenes look at the world of the theater as the cast of animal characters prepares for opening night of their production of Cinderella, in a book that comes complete with a glossary of theatrical terms.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4?From casting and publicity, to the hard work of creating characters, sets, costumes, and staging, this is a straightforward picture of the play-making process. Using the vehicle of performing "Cinderella," the author explains stage terminology, directions, and the ways in which everyone works together to create a successful production. Duffy, the director, is a bear; the leading lady is a fox. However, there are so many other characters in the watercolor and soft line illustrations?a raccoon, hippo, otter, alligator, warthog, goat, hedgehog and lion?that it is sometimes difficult, particularly at a distance, to make out who is doing what. Terminology is explained both in context and in a glossary. As a finale, two gatefold pages of a curtained stage open outward to expose four scenes from the play. These pages may mimic the magic of the rising curtain, but they will not survive many circulations. However, for stage-struck children or for those preparing a play, this is a clear presentation of all that goes into creating our willing suspension of disbelief in the theater.?Susan Hepler, Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Alexandria, VA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

A terrific introduction to the staging of a play. The Night Owl Theater is comprised of thespians who happen to be animals, and they are staging Cinderella in a month's time. Hayes familiarizes readers with casting and read-throughs, the prop and costume shops, lighting and sound engineers, dress rehearsals, and opening night. She peppers the text with the jargon of the theater without turning it into a vocabulary lesson, and in the process concocts a fabulous bestiary: A bespectacled bear is the old-soul director (``Don't worry, kids. A bad dress rehearsal means good luck on opening night,''), an anteater cranks out publicity material, a hyena hammers, and a badger paints scenery. The excitement gathers as the big night approaches--a performance that appears in a four-panel gatefold--depicted with grace and humor in Thompson's wry, affectionate watercolors. Not only a painless overview of theatrical presentations, it's also quietly inspiring--readers will be tempted to stage a production of their own. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0152007822
• ISBN 13: 9780152007829
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 36
• Illustrator: Thompson Karmen