SPARKLE
For Ages 3-5
Nathaniel Niemi and Christina Uyeno at Summerhall, Edinburgh Fringe and Honolulu Theatre for Youth
Designed by Karen Tennent
Sparkle loves sparkly things. He loves tiaras, tutus, and sparkly dresses. However, when school starts, he finds that other kids don’t share the same love. They want to extinguish his sparkle. This timely show explores the magnificence of being unique and standing up for yourself - even in your own sparkly slippers!
“Sparkle” Reviews:
“Sparkle is a beautiful and important play for children aged three to eight…a gorgeously simple, touching, splendidly staged story of macho bullying, friendship and triumph over adversity.”
— The Herald, 2019
“Heart-warming work for young children (ages 3+) that reaches out, tellingly, to their adults as well… Time for Sparkle to wow his classmates with his diva-tastic show, and for the wider world to recognize and accept the rainbow community that this wise little show celebrates.”
— Edinburgh Festival Magazine, 2019
“Beautiful message of acceptance and bravery… Sparkle was created by Scottish theatre-maker Annie Cusick Wood, when her son asked her to make a show 'that would have helped me when I was a kid.' The result is a rare, but very welcome children's theatre foray into LGBT life… when the Pride-coloured paper dolls come out to represent Sparkle's new friends, I wasn't the only one wiping tears away.”
— The List, 2019
“Whilst there is an appreciation of the sadness experienced, it is [Sparkle’s] acceptance that anything- anyone- can be transformed which creates the heartwarming finale… With a beautiful and simple design, Sparkle happens. Karen Tennent’s design allows for some fun with shadow puppet theatre and the transformation into the beauty of a butterfly. The production creates happiness on a number of levels… This is joyful storytelling for adults and children alike.”
– Organized Chaos, 2019
“Sparkle delights in all the right places – leading us through the emotional highs and lows of self-expression and identity…Inventive puppetry, limited dialogue, and simple props help the story to unfold at a perfect pace for a younger audience -allowing children to explore their response to some of the difficult themes and share in the ultimate joy and celebration. Weaving messages of embracing our inner selves, respecting others, and the importance of friendship – this show is sure to add a little bit of sparkle into our lives…”
— Edinburgh Festivals for Kids, 2019
“There’s a lovely dream-like quality to this beautifully staged show for the very young, about a boy who likes to wear sparkly dresses… Even tiny children are absorbed by the gentle voices and simple narrative and for adults, this is a poignant illustration of how parents watch from a distance as their children set out in the world… The central message of love and acceptance is hard to argue with… Nathaniel Niemi as Sparkle and Christina Uyeno as Kokua are a joy to watch.”