Winter is coming — Time to get tickets to BAMkids

Season opens with interactive ‘Legend Has It’

December 30, 2015 By Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle

BAMkids opens its winter season of performances for children with “Legend Has It,” created by noted improviser Rebecca Northan. Photo by Chris Bolin, courtesy of BAM

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If you don’t already have one, you might just want to borrow a child so you’ll have an excuse to enjoy a performance from BAMkids’ upcoming winter season.

BAMkids aims its eclectic mix of adventurous theater to the younger set (from ages 1 to 13), but the passion and imagination the performers bring to the stage has appeal for all ages.

The season opens on Jan. 15 with “Legend Has It,” created by noted improviser Rebecca Northan. She is joined by a talented cast in what is billed as a “spellbinding” interactive performance where the story’s hero is literally plucked from the audience.

“Legend Has It” takes place in the mystical realm of Jarõ, a fantasy world full of goblins, wizards, swords and magic. The young hero’s decisions shape the plot and decide the trajectory of the entire show.

Northan, the writer and performer behind the internationally acclaimed clown show, “Blind Date,” is joined by master improvisers Reneé Amber, Bruce Horak, Mark Meer and Jamie Northan in this fun adventure aimed at ages 8 and up.

“Legend Has It” performances take place at BAM Fisher (321 Ashland Pl.) on Jan. 15 and 16 at 7 p.m., and Jan. 16 and 17 at 2 p.m. A 15 minute Q&A follows the Jan. 15 performance. Price: $18.

Other performances in the series range from a one-woman puppet adaptation of “Cinderella” to the return of the Australian cirque company, Circa, with their interpretation of Camille Saint-Saens “Carnival of the Animals,” to the South African Magnet theatre company’s piece “TREE/BOOM/UMTHI,” which is for younger audience members.

On Jan. 23 the 2015 BAMkids Music Series closes with Charly and Margaux, known as Chargaux. Chargaux is a Brooklyn-based art collective and string duo whose performances on the viola and violin have been called “infectious” and “dazzling.” Their compositions draw on one of the performer’s synesthesia, leading audiences to explore the sound of color.

The shadow play “Feathers of Fire: A Persian Epic” stages the legend of Zaul and Rudabeh, one of the stories in the Persian Shahmaneh epic. It features live music, puppets, a storyteller, and shadow casters. (Feb. 5 – 7)

Visit bam.org for the full program and information about other programs for kids and adults this season.

BAM’s Ticket Assistance Program (TAP) provides free tickets to families who are enrolled in the USDA’s program for free or reduced price school meals.