So Bring on the Clowns and Let It Snow!

Greetings Theater Lovers,

This month I saw only one show, Slava’s Snowshow, which opened on September 8, 2004 at the Union Square Theater and has been running ever since. I was really curious to see the show because I had heard such conflicting reports – people seemed to either love it (attending multiple times) or they simply hated it. And the people who did not like it were never able to explain why.

Here is a quote from the show website ( http://www.snowshowusa.com): “When Slava makes it snow, he shows us how to see the world differently. How do you describe Slava's Snowshow? There are as many descriptions as there are audience members. Snowshow is the beauty of a single snow flake as it gently falls and lands on your shoulder. Snowshow is the sound of an adult laughing uncontrollably at nothing in particular.

“Snowshow is the joy of believing that anything is possible. Snowshow is the sadness of a wave goodbye from a train station platform. Snowshow is the realization that life really is wonderful.”

I attended a matinee and there were many children in the audience. And as the show began I thought to myself - this is a children’s show. And it was just that, a children’s show. But then as the show progressed, I also thought it might be a show for adults who are “friends of Mary Jane.” And it is definitely that too, a stoner’s show. But with its funny/sad clowns, beautiful sets and spectacular lighting, it is also a funny, moving and incredibly beautiful show for anyone who loves theater. You can get wet if you want to (or if you just happen to be seated up front) and you can also play ball is you want to (if you want to run up front), so the show is interactive: think De la Guarda in Technicolor.

So, there it is, Slava’s Snow Show: a children’s show; a date show; and a show for everyone who loves truly innovative theater. And I still have not been able to figure out why the people who say they hated the show did not like it. Oh well!

The Union Square Theater is located at 100 East 17th Street, New York, NY 10003. Snowshow runs Monday – Saturday @ 8PM. Matinees are Saturday @ 4PM and Sunday @ 2PM and 5:30 PM. Tickets are $59.90 - $64.90 at 212-307-4100 or www.ticketmaster.com.