By Sam Mooney

As soon as I heard that I Think I Can – Lorraine Kimsa Theatre For Young People production – had a lot of tap dancing I knew it was for me.  I love tap dancing.  Imagine how thrilled I was when I realized that there is pretty much no dialogue, other than one speaking character the dancing is the dialogue.  Well, not just the dancing.  The actors use their bodies and their faces to tell the story and they tell it well.  No need at all for dialogue.

“…i think i can is set in the turbulent world of classroom cliques and schoolyard politics. Tip, a boy with a disability, and his friends, struggle with the class bully and the ambitions of their science teacher. With the grand prize at the science fair on the line, friends and enemies vie for dominance.”

The science teacher is the only talking character.  She looks like Olive Oyl with her hair in an exaggerated flip and her very long clown shoes. She sounds a bit like Maggie Smith in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.

There was a full house at the Wednesday morning performance.  It’s difficult to tell how old kids are and I didn’t think to ask but I would estimate that the ages ranged from 10 to 13.  Not an easy crowd to please but they were pleased.  They really enjoyed the show; laughed at the right places and applauded wildly at the end.

There was a Q & A with three of the actors after the show.  Sometimes those can be excruciating while everyone waits for someone to ask the first question. Not this time, hands were up right away.

If you’re looking for something to do with the kids this weekend I Think I Can is a good choice.

Details:

– I Think I Can is playing at L0rraine Kimsa Theatre For Young People (165 Front Street East)
– There are two shows this weekend, Saturday May 30th and Sunday May1 at 2 pm
– Tickets are $15.00 for Youth and Seniors and $20.00 for Adults
– Purchase tickets at the box office, by phone at 416-862-2222 and online

Photo of the dancers by Daniel Alexander