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Martha Speaks OUR REVIEW FOR YOU!

@ Hopewell High School Feb. 15! Seats still available!

By Kim Inkenhaus of Macaroni Kid Pittsburgh LLC February 14, 2013

What a BOWWOWRIFIC SHOW!  We just saw Martha Speaks and as always with the Children’s Theater we were not disappointed!

We are the one family in America who has never watched the show or read the book.  We just went because we want to expose our little guy to as much of the theater as possible and this is the perfect way to do it!  Ticket prices are reasonable, venues are very kid-friendly and the shows are only 55 minutes long!  Kids cry and scream throughout and no one cares.  I LOVE IT!!!!!!!

This five member cast really delivers!  It is quite a lively show with scene changes done by the cast members in between on-the-spot costume changes galore!  You forget there are only five of them as you get lost in the story.They have to be downing some energy drinks between shows!They are non-stop 100% the entire time.

I truly think that Christian Castro (the Innkeeper and so many other characters) should win some kind of award for the Fastest Changer of Clothes, Hair and Characters.  I lost count of how many times he was back and forth with one role funnier than the last.  Brilliant!

I didn’t expect to see such personality and strong vocals come from such a young Martha!  I was very impressed.  She had great timing and a presence on stage that was beyond her years.  And the relationship between Helen (Nastasia Green) and Martha (Shayna Gabrielle) is so sweet.  And I love the message.  Dogs are family and should be treated like they are just that.   Just say no to saying no to dogs!

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  This was a funny, lighthearted afternoon that will leave you smiling from whisker to whisker!  This was the first show of many all over town.  Get your seat now because this one SOLD OUT!

Macaroni Kid of Pittsburgh LLC was given tickets for the purpose of reviewing this show.  But the views expressed are all our own.  We wouldn’t steer you  wrong…after all…we live here and will probably run into you at a play area one day!

Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, presents Theatreworks USA, in the Pittsburgh premiere of, Martha Speaks, from February 10 - 17, 2013, at six performance locations throughout the area. 

Performance locations include: 

CityByham Theater
Sunday, February 10 at 2:00 p.m. & Student Matinee:
Monday,  February 11 at 10:15 a.m.
Workshop:  Grow Up Great, Wednesday, February 13

Additional Shows and Locations:
East: Linton Middle School, Wednesday, February 13 at 7:00 p.m.
North: Marshall Middle School, Thursday, February 14 at 5:30 & 7:30 p.m.
West: Hopewell High School, Friday, February 15 at 7:00 p.m.
South: Mount Lebanon High School, Saturday, February 16 at 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.
Butler: Seneca Valley Senior High School, Sunday, February 17 at 2:00 p.m.  

Citizens Bank is the season sponsor of Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater.
 
Martha Speaks is a musical based on the books Martha Speaks and Martha Calling written by Susan Meddaugh.  The books were adapted for the stage by Kevin Delaguila, and set to lyrics by Jill Abramovitz with the music of composer Brad Alexander.  The play follows the adventures of Helen, her family, and their dog Martha. 

One day Martha eats a bowl of alphabet soup and begins to talk! Martha shocks everyone and quickly learns to use the telephone. Even though she is forbidden, she calls into a radio station for a trivia contest and wins the family an all-expenses-paid trip to a luxurious hotel. There is only one problem – the hotel has a no pets allowed policy.  Will Martha’s family go on vacation without her or will Martha’s clever way with words save the day? 

The performance is approximately 55 minutes and recommended for children ages 3-10. 

 

 

 

 

 
Individual tickets ($11 at the door; $9.50 in advance) can be ordered online at www.trustarts.org/kids, by calling (412) 456-6666, or in person at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue. Group tickets can be ordered by calling (412) 471-6930.
 

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit organization whose mission is the cultural and economic development of Pittsburgh’s 14-block Cultural District through public and private support. The Trust presents and encourages diverse performing and visual arts programs within the District, and is an impetus for additional development in downtown Pittsburgh.  www.TrustArts.org