Photo:
credit: SecondStory Repertory
“Bee Present,” a sweet musical for children, is on stage now at SecondStory Repertory in Redmond. The 55-minute play is performed by adults who bring the setting of a busy beehive and meadows to vibrant life. And, as the name implies, mindfulness is one of the main themes of the show.
A fun show with an important message
The Queen Bee’s birthday is coming up, and every bee is expected to find a perfect gift. But Birdie Bee has been so busy micromanaging the hive that she forgot about the big birthday. So she sets out on a quest to find the ideal present.
Along the way, she meets crafty crows, a Sloth Collective and a distractible hummingbird, all of whom offer their own brand of help and wisdom. Bee puns abound as do fun song and dance numbers.
My husband and I saw “Bee Present” on opening night, and not only did we enjoy it, but both of us were impressed by the quality of acting and singing. The show cleverly folds in messages that hold weight with today’s families such as busyness doesn’t equal happiness, and people (or in this case, bees) aren’t defined by successes in sports, work or school. With today’s overscheduled kids and the push to succeed in life earlier and earlier, this message is more important than ever. My favorite line was when the hummingbird said to Birdie, “Even if you never make a drop of honey, you are my friend, Birdie the bee.”
While enjoying this sweet show, kids will learn about slowing down and being kind to others and to themselves.
One grandma who brought her 7- and 9-year-old grandsons commented, “Like the bees, kids are very busy these days with lots of activities. It’s nice for them to see that it’s okay for some down time. It also shows teamwork in solving a problem, asking others for help and you can always learn something new from others if you are willing to listen. It does all this with music, comedy and fun facts to know and share. It was just the right length to keep my grandsons interested from start to finish.”
SecondStory Repertory
“Bee Present” is part of SecondStory’s Theater for Young Audiences program, which produces plays for children ages four and older.
Since opening in 1999, SecondStory Repertory has offered year-round shows including musicals, comedies, reviews and dramas. The theater also hosts concerts, comedy shows, poetry readings and other special events (there are more than 150 performances here each year!).
The intimate venue (which is wheelchair accessible) seats an audience of 100, on a combination of “carpet seating” in the front and fixed seating close behind. You’ll never be more than 35 feet from the action on stage. Tickets are festival-style seating, meaning there are no reserved seats, unless you are a season ticket holder.
If you go...Where: “Bee Present” is playing at SecondStory Repertory in Redmond Town Center, 7325 166th Ave. N.E., Suite F250, Redmond When: Saturdays and Sundays through May 19, shows at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Cost: Tickets are $10 for all ages. Purchase tickets online or in person (box office opens two hours before each performance). |
