Luhrs Performing Arts Center welcomed Dino World: Live to its stage on April 28. The Grove Theater was filled with families excited to catch a glimpse at the prehistoric show.
The performance, written and directed by Derek Bond, was filled with a total of eight dinosaurs and plenty of humor. Despite having a cast of just one performer and five puppeteers, the show captivated the audience.
Selin Balcioglu stars as Miranda, a paleontologist who, along with her family, was shipwrecked on an island filled with all kinds of mesozoic wildlife. She helped guide the program, giving information about each of the dinosaurs and ensuring no children were eaten by the creatures.
The first dinosaur to make its mark was Juliet. A Segnosaurus, “Jules” walked around the stage cawing and swinging her fearsome claws around. Luckily for the crowd, she’s an herbivore.
Volunteers were invited to come on stage and help Miranda wrangle most of the dinosaurs on display. A young girl bravely stood on a box and played the part of a tree to get picky-eater Juliet to eat.
Juliet made way for Orlando, a Microraptor who flew on to stage before pecking Miranda for treats. “He loves to put on a display for the ladies,” Miranda said as a volunteer brushed him.
Beatrice and Brutus the Triceratops were a hit. Beatrice, who according to Miranda was only a few days old, was a bit sleepy, and had to be woken up by the crowd. Her adult counterpart Brutus, on the other hand, had no problem stomping around. Both enjoyed their fair share of tickles.
Another duo was even more popular. Tamora the T-Rex stood about chest-height, dwarfed by her older brother Titus, a full-grown Tyrannosaurus. Tamora was operated by a lone puppeteer (disguised as a wrangler), but Titus required four puppeteers to move around.
The show was rounded out with a new dinosaur emerging. Throughout the show, an egg would rock back and forth, threatening to hatch. The audience was quick to alert Miranda, who would check on it periodically. After a bit of a fakeout, the egg finally hatched to reveal a baby Giraffititan. Its cries quickly summoned its mother, Gertrude.
While those who know way too much about dinosaurs could find a few nitpicks (e.g. T-Rex’s vision being based on movement), the show was a very fun and lighthearted adventure. If anyone in attendance was not already a fan of “terrible lizards,” they sure are now.
The Slate welcomes thoughtful discussion on all of our stories, but please keep comments civil and on-topic. Read our full guidelines here.