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The Red Balloon

Presented by Tongue and Groove Theatre at The Long Center: Debra & Kevin Rollins Studio Theatre

May 20-May 30, 2010

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Tongue and Groove Theatre will remount its award-winning production, The Red Balloon, for a limited engagement in the Rollins Theatre at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. The winner of five 2008 B. Iden Payne Awards and two Austin Critics’ Table Awards, this family-friendly whimsical play will open in May.

Integrating mime, movement, puppetry, and dance with live, original music and real-time original animation, Tongue and Groove creates a unique and enchanting play for the entire family to enjoy. The previous run of this show in 2008 was a sell-out and countless potential audience members were turned away. The run of this production at the Rollins Theatre at the Long Center will provide better opportunity for more folks to attend.

• At-a-
  Glance

  • Venue Info

    The Long Center for the Performing Arts > The Long Center: Debra & Kevin Rollins Studio Theatre

    The Long Center for the Performing Arts
    701 W. Riverside Drive
    Austin, TX 78704

    Full map and directions

  • Admission Info

    Regular Ticket Info:

    $15-30

    GAGA members are to receive a $2 discount on ticket prices on Thursday and Sunday performances. Members will be required to show their membership cards.

    Buy Tickets

  • Dates & Times

    Dates:
    May 20-May 30, 2010

    Times:
    

    Thursday, May 20 at 8 p.m. with subsequent performances Friday – Saturday, May 21-22, and Wednesday – Saturday, May 26 – 29 at 8 p.m., Sunday, May 23 at 6 p.m. and 3 p.m. matinee performances on Saturday, May 22, Saturday, May 29 and Sunday, May 30, and a 6 p.m. final performance on Sunday, May 30 .

  • Accessibility Info

    This wordless play requires no interpreter for the hearing-impaired.

  • Video & Image Gallery

    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: The Red Balloon
      "Wonderfully entertaining alternative to traditional theatre!"
      Review posted by: DJ from Austin, Texas, May 27, 2010
      

      Went to see The Red Balloon on Friday, not quite sure what to expect, but still excited by what I had heard. Well, let me just say that I was really blown away, and never would have dreamed that a... Expand

      Went to see The Red Balloon on Friday, not quite sure what to expect, but still excited by what I had heard. Well, let me just say that I was really blown away, and never would have dreamed that a production that relied on music, movement, dance, and puppetry could have been so enthralling. The performers were extremely talented, and the music was so wonderful that I bought a CD after the show. David Yeakle has provided us with a thoroughly entertaining show, and you should run (don't walk!) to see it. But hurry!! Collapse

    • Event Name: The Red Balloon
      "Whimsical Flight of Fancy"
      Review posted by: Silver Stage Siren from Austin, TX, May 27, 2010
      

      Austin has attempted to build a reputation as a town that embraces original and often experimental productions. While more traditional theater still draws audiences (5 plus productions of "A... Expand

      Austin has attempted to build a reputation as a town that embraces original and often experimental productions. While more traditional theater still draws audiences (5 plus productions of "A Midsummer's Night Dream" just this year, anyone?), companies like the Tongue and Groove Theatre are proving to be just what Austin needs to continue growing that reputation. "The Red Balloon" is a delightful and whimsical mash-up of colorful mimed characters (the adult actors embody the vitality of children seemingly better than they play adults), exquisitely detailed moving animation (kudos to set designer Leah Lovise, and let's hope we see more of her work soon), and puppetry that makes the balloons just as definitive characters as any of the actors. The choreography was simple but effective for the style of the show. Most importantly, "The Red Balloon" succeeds at capturing the imagination and exuberance of youth and instills it into an audience whose carefree days are few and far between. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Red Balloon
      "share the fun of The Red Balloon"
      Review posted by: Michael Alan Foster from Austin Texas , May 25, 2010
      

      The Red Balloon is short, sweet, and fun to experience. The adults do a great job of being kids! And yes, the entire play does make sense, even without a single word being spoken. The projected... Expand

      The Red Balloon is short, sweet, and fun to experience. The adults do a great job of being kids! And yes, the entire play does make sense, even without a single word being spoken. The projected "moving background" is practically a separate character in the play and is a true delight to see. The production is elegantly simple and simply delightful. Let your inner child share in the delight. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Red Balloon
      "The Red Balloon"
      Review posted by: May 25, 2010
      

      Adults and children both will be carried away in this fun and fascinating hour of theatre--all without a spoken word. Experience the magic--from a kid's point of view--of a day played out in mime,... Expand

      Adults and children both will be carried away in this fun and fascinating hour of theatre--all without a spoken word. Experience the magic--from a kid's point of view--of a day played out in mime, live music, dance, and mixed with animation! Yes, animation, what a creative media to weave with other theatrical elements to support a delightful narration. Enjoy a night where dancing with umbrellas, playground shuffles and even finding a magical balloon seem so natural and believable. Excellent acting by adults playing kid, and original music by a pot-pourri pit orchestra of fine musicians makes The Red Balloon a superbly woven, heartwarming story where you'll float away on the magic of the story. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Red Balloon
      "Lyrical and Magical -- See It Soon!"
      Review posted by: Michael Meigs - AustinLiveTheatre.com from Austin, May 25, 2010
      

      The 1956 film is a wonderful piece, largely without dialogue and scored to a whimsical score by Maurice Leroux. David Yeakle, animator Leah Lovise and composer Justin Sherburn have taken that... Expand

      The 1956 film is a wonderful piece, largely without dialogue and scored to a whimsical score by Maurice Leroux. David Yeakle, animator Leah Lovise and composer Justin Sherburn have taken that elegantly minimalist film, inflated it, expanded it, decorated it and rescored it. Their production is equally captivating but in a different way. It is, in essence, a ballet featuring a quickly progressing series of mimed scenes, very much in the flavor of the early Charlie Chaplin. Sherburn's music is catchy, alert and vivid, with the quick wit of film music. Lovise's cartoon animation, projected behind the stage, uses bold colors and big happy designs. The Red Balloon play is part concert, part dance, part cartoon, part puppetry, a feast of sight, sound and story telling. There's a rare mix of simplicity and sophistication here. (Full review up at www.austinlivetheatre.com; direct link is http://tinyurl.com/ALT524 -- see the full 34 min. original film!) Collapse

    • Event Name: The Red Balloon
      "Red Balloon is a crowd pleaser once again!"
      Review posted by: C. L. from Austin, TX, May 24, 2010
      

      I enjoyed last Friday night's performance of the R.B. There is the same great music and cool cast, with many funny and impressive additions. The little boy on my left was totally enraptured by... Expand

      I enjoyed last Friday night's performance of the R.B. There is the same great music and cool cast, with many funny and impressive additions. The little boy on my left was totally enraptured by the end and reached out towards the stage to be carried away on his own Red Balloon. Isn't that the point of theater? Well done. Collapse

• Media
  Gallery

  • All Media Gallery

    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

• Member
  Reviews

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: The Red Balloon
      "Wonderfully entertaining alternative to traditional theatre!"
      Review posted by: DJ from Austin, Texas, May 27, 2010
      

      Went to see The Red Balloon on Friday, not quite sure what to expect, but still excited by what I had heard. Well, let me just say that I was really blown away, and never would have dreamed that a... Expand

      Went to see The Red Balloon on Friday, not quite sure what to expect, but still excited by what I had heard. Well, let me just say that I was really blown away, and never would have dreamed that a production that relied on music, movement, dance, and puppetry could have been so enthralling. The performers were extremely talented, and the music was so wonderful that I bought a CD after the show. David Yeakle has provided us with a thoroughly entertaining show, and you should run (don't walk!) to see it. But hurry!! Collapse

    • Event Name: The Red Balloon
      "Whimsical Flight of Fancy"
      Review posted by: Silver Stage Siren from Austin, TX, May 27, 2010
      

      Austin has attempted to build a reputation as a town that embraces original and often experimental productions. While more traditional theater still draws audiences (5 plus productions of "A... Expand

      Austin has attempted to build a reputation as a town that embraces original and often experimental productions. While more traditional theater still draws audiences (5 plus productions of "A Midsummer's Night Dream" just this year, anyone?), companies like the Tongue and Groove Theatre are proving to be just what Austin needs to continue growing that reputation. "The Red Balloon" is a delightful and whimsical mash-up of colorful mimed characters (the adult actors embody the vitality of children seemingly better than they play adults), exquisitely detailed moving animation (kudos to set designer Leah Lovise, and let's hope we see more of her work soon), and puppetry that makes the balloons just as definitive characters as any of the actors. The choreography was simple but effective for the style of the show. Most importantly, "The Red Balloon" succeeds at capturing the imagination and exuberance of youth and instills it into an audience whose carefree days are few and far between. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Red Balloon
      "share the fun of The Red Balloon"
      Review posted by: Michael Alan Foster from Austin Texas , May 25, 2010
      

      The Red Balloon is short, sweet, and fun to experience. The adults do a great job of being kids! And yes, the entire play does make sense, even without a single word being spoken. The projected... Expand

      The Red Balloon is short, sweet, and fun to experience. The adults do a great job of being kids! And yes, the entire play does make sense, even without a single word being spoken. The projected "moving background" is practically a separate character in the play and is a true delight to see. The production is elegantly simple and simply delightful. Let your inner child share in the delight. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Red Balloon
      "The Red Balloon"
      Review posted by: May 25, 2010
      

      Adults and children both will be carried away in this fun and fascinating hour of theatre--all without a spoken word. Experience the magic--from a kid's point of view--of a day played out in mime,... Expand

      Adults and children both will be carried away in this fun and fascinating hour of theatre--all without a spoken word. Experience the magic--from a kid's point of view--of a day played out in mime, live music, dance, and mixed with animation! Yes, animation, what a creative media to weave with other theatrical elements to support a delightful narration. Enjoy a night where dancing with umbrellas, playground shuffles and even finding a magical balloon seem so natural and believable. Excellent acting by adults playing kid, and original music by a pot-pourri pit orchestra of fine musicians makes The Red Balloon a superbly woven, heartwarming story where you'll float away on the magic of the story. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Red Balloon
      "Lyrical and Magical -- See It Soon!"
      Review posted by: Michael Meigs - AustinLiveTheatre.com from Austin, May 25, 2010
      

      The 1956 film is a wonderful piece, largely without dialogue and scored to a whimsical score by Maurice Leroux. David Yeakle, animator Leah Lovise and composer Justin Sherburn have taken that... Expand

      The 1956 film is a wonderful piece, largely without dialogue and scored to a whimsical score by Maurice Leroux. David Yeakle, animator Leah Lovise and composer Justin Sherburn have taken that elegantly minimalist film, inflated it, expanded it, decorated it and rescored it. Their production is equally captivating but in a different way. It is, in essence, a ballet featuring a quickly progressing series of mimed scenes, very much in the flavor of the early Charlie Chaplin. Sherburn's music is catchy, alert and vivid, with the quick wit of film music. Lovise's cartoon animation, projected behind the stage, uses bold colors and big happy designs. The Red Balloon play is part concert, part dance, part cartoon, part puppetry, a feast of sight, sound and story telling. There's a rare mix of simplicity and sophistication here. (Full review up at www.austinlivetheatre.com; direct link is http://tinyurl.com/ALT524 -- see the full 34 min. original film!) Collapse

    • Event Name: The Red Balloon
      "Red Balloon is a crowd pleaser once again!"
      Review posted by: C. L. from Austin, TX, May 24, 2010
      

      I enjoyed last Friday night's performance of the R.B. There is the same great music and cool cast, with many funny and impressive additions. The little boy on my left was totally enraptured by... Expand

      I enjoyed last Friday night's performance of the R.B. There is the same great music and cool cast, with many funny and impressive additions. The little boy on my left was totally enraptured by the end and reached out towards the stage to be carried away on his own Red Balloon. Isn't that the point of theater? Well done. Collapse

• Media
  Reviews

  • Media Reviews

    There are currently no media reviews for this event.