Members of the theater regularly travel across Canada, the United States and Asia to perform the theater’s trademark plays, which are based on children’s storybooks.
“The idea was that it would be theater that would be taken to the people,” artistic director Jim Morrow said.
Over the theater’s 37 years, Albany has been a frequent stop, and Mermaid Theater returns to the city on Saturday, Nov. 7. The Egg is hosting “The Very Hungry Caterpillar and other Eric Carle Favorites” at 11 a.m.
“We’ve had this particular one before, and it’s very popular,” said Peter Lesser, the executive director of the Egg. “Everybody loves ‘The Hungry Caterpillar.’”
That’s not an accident. When Mermaid Theater is deciding on storybooks to adapt, it strives to find pieces that are being read and enjoyed by kids around the world.
“We have to like the message,” Morrow added, and Carle’s stories fit the bill, even though on the surface, they might seem simple.
In addition to “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” which tells the story of a caterpillar that transforms into a beautiful butterfly, the Egg show will spotlight “Little Cloud,” who changes into various shapes of things it sees, and the “Mixed-Up Chameleon,” who takes a trip to the zoo and tries to change to look like each of the animals he sees.
Mermaid Theater stays true to the original stories while also mixing in its trademark black light effects and original music.
“The language and the music go together,” Morrow said. “We don’t try to overpower the child.”
In fact, Mermaid Theater prides itself on offering a “gentle” experience that is suitable for kids as young as 2. Morrow said that going to the theater for the first time can be scary for kids, given that it’s dark and unfamiliar inside, and Mermaid strives to put on a show that puts everyone at ease.
Lesser said the shows are “really simple,” but at the same time, “striking.”
“Kids really respond to them,” he said, noting that the black light effects always earn high marks.
Morrow said that “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” easily lent itself to a Mermaid Theater production because of all the color Carle uses. The titular caterpillar, for example, has a blue-green body, an orange head, and green eyes encircled by yellow.
Mermaid Theater’s other current touring productions are “Goodnight Moon” and “The Runaway Bunny,” “Guess How Much I Love You” and “I Love My Little Storybook,” “When Dinosaurs Dance by Moonlight” and “Swimmy,” “Frederick” and Inch by Inch.”
One of Mermaid Theater’s aims is to encourage kids to read. Morrow said another objective is to get families out of the house and enjoying the theater experience together.
“The thing I like most about our performances is to share an experience together,” he said.
And he hopes that the experience stays with the audience even after the final curtain. He pictures them talking about the play afterward, maybe revisiting the stories in books.
“Hopefully the theater lives outside when they leave,” said Morrow, who has been with Mermaid Theater since he joined as a performer in 1978.
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favorites” takes the stage at the Egg in Empire State Plaza at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7. Tickets are $15.
