Coterie's "How to Snag a Sea Monster: A Terrifically Tall Tale"

How to Snag a Sea Monster: A Terrifically Tall Tale Adapted by Mike Horner and Larry Mitchell Composed by Matt Kirby and Susan Conger. Based on the tall tales of Stormy Stormalong. Showing April 30 – May 30, 2021. PRICE: $12.00 for youth under 18, students, & seniors 60 & older; $15.00 for adults;  Online streaming begins at $20.00 for small households.

For the first time in over a year (it still feels so peculiar to say that)... my youngest daughters and I attended a LIVE show at The Coterie! It was wonderful to be "back at home" at one of Kansas City's live performance venues.

In adherence with Covid-19 safety protocols, The Coterie has taken extra steps to ensure safety and they are offering streaming options as well. (See Viewing FAQ notes below).

How to Snag a Sea Monster: A Terrifically Tall Tale is a live puppet show and collaboration with Mesner Puppet Theater. The Coterie's stage and setting combined with the masterful puppetry of the Mesner team works beautifully to bring Osborne's tale to life. 

The story is an adaptation of the tall tales of Stormy Stormalong by Mary Pope Osborne. Set in Cape Cod at Barnacle Bay (an isolated Bay that is not traveled by tourists but is plagued by regular visits from a giant purple sea monster), the residents of the fishing village are dismayed at litter washing up on the beach, the menacing sea monster, and the isolation of their little bay. Things begin to change when one day a giant baby has washed ashore. 

The citizens of the village collaborate to raise the baby feeding him a steady diet of clam chowder and naming him Stormalong (Stormy for short). As Stormy grows he can no longer occupy the small homes and he takes off on an adventure as a member of a ship's crew. While he is away at sea, the sea monster returns to town taking Ida, the resident clam chowder chef, captive. Only Stormy can help. They signal him with the lighthouse and he comes to the rescue. In the process, he educates the villagers on the true friendly nature of the sea monster, and the monster becomes the village mascot and tourist attraction.

“Centered around a small northeastern island community, How to Snag a Sea Monster shows how the village must adapt to change, eventually learning that if they can be open to new possibilities, they have the power to overcome truly colossal obstacles,” explains Meghann Henry, Mesner Puppet Theater’s Producing Artistic Director.

With colorful puppets, imaginative sets depicting a small fishing village, delightful music, and a bit of humor, this creative show was full of fun and whimsy for young audiences. We recommend this 45-minute production for early elementary school-aged children. 

We were impressed with the charming sets and puppets, the masterful puppetry of Mike Horner, one of Mesner's resident puppeteers. Part of the magic is the way the puppeteer blends into the background as the story draws the audience in and they focus exclusively on the puppets themselves. Horner does this with ease bringing the story to life in a vivid and charming way. 

If you're eager to enjoy a LIVE show again and your children delight in storytelling, this is the show for you!

Viewing FAQ:

WATCH LIVE OR VIRTUALLY

How to Snag a Sea Monster: A Terrifically Tall Tale will be performed live at The Coterie Theatre in Crown Center. If ticket holders are unable to attend in person, the performance will be available to stream at home at no additional cost. Patrons may indicate their choice to view virtually when purchasing tickets or by contacting The Coterie’s box office to make arrangements prior to their selected performance date. How to Snag a Sea Monster is also available to educators as an in person or virtual field trip for K – 4th grades. Educators should contact The Coterie box office to discuss booking details or visit www.thecoterie.org for more information.

COVID-19 SAFETY

For those attending in person, masks and social distancing are required of all staff, performers, and patrons, including children of any age. Patrons whose accompanying children are unable to wear a mask - or whose children are two years or younger and cannot wear a mask for safety reasons - should choose the virtual option when purchasing. In person attendance is limited to 100 people, or one-third of The Coterie’s normal capacity. All dialogue in How to Snag a Sea Monster will be voiced by a mic’d, masked, vaccinated puppeteer. The Coterie’s theater HVAC system has been optimized to exceed ASHRAE air change recommendations and the theater will receive a complete surface disinfection after every performance. Detailed information about safety and ticketing information for patrons is available at www.thecoterie.org.

TICKETING INFORMATION

How to Snag a Sea Monster: A Terrifically Tall Tale is a ticketless, socially distanced event for families with ages five and older. Families who would like to view the performance at home virtually should indicate their preference at check out. If attending live, admission to How to Snag a Sea Monster is $12.00 for youth under 18, students, & seniors 60 and older; and $15.00 for adults.

Online streaming begins at $20.00 for small households. Purchase admission through The Coterie’s box office at 816.474.6552 or www.thecoterie.org.

Unlike past Coterie productions, seating is not General Admission. Instead, socially distanced seating pods will be assigned so patrons are asked not to congregate in The Coterie lobby prior to the show. The theater will open for seating 30 minutes prior to the performance.