A half-hour show for a family audience with songs, jokes and surprises, Vasthy and Friends –Â Sing, Dance, Play! is super cute and focuses on Vasthy Mompoint, a Broadway performer who has a real connection with the child audience. It played at this summer’s Edinburgh Fringe.
Co-created by Mompoint with producer Leanna Gadow, Vasthy and Friends –Â Sing, Dance, Play! provides that oasis from a busy, overwhelming day that both parents and their tots might appreciate. It’s a show that leans heavily into play, interaction and community.
It’s very earnest and American, reminding me of the early days of Sesame Street, but with more involvement from the audience. Noise, movement and enjoyment is the hallmark of this performance – plus a bit of video work showcasing other ‘friends’ not present in Edinburgh.
Vasthy herself plus her team (Tony, Nohely,and Lindsay) make the show relaxed and a lot of fun even for us watching at home. Audiences at the live show can sit on chairs or the floor, and children are invited to come on stage if they wish.
There is also an educational element amongst the singing and dancing, aimed at the toddlers. The show’s tagline is “spreading joy one child at a time”, and the cast dive into the ideas (names, animals, and cultural heritage) with deep conviction.
Vasthy and Friends – Sing, Dance, Play! understands that less is more and keeps the energy level constant. Reading around the history of the show, there have been albums as well as live performance, with their website highlighting a YouTube presence and a couple of residencies in the USA.
This is a thoughtful piece of theatre that allows pre-schoolers to be children – exploring, concentrating, and just taking the time to engage with the world. The fact the children seem involved in the music, rhythm and gestures throughout is a tribute to Mompoint and Gadow’s conviction that childhood is fun.
Catching up with this by video after the Fringe has closed, I really enjoyed the opportunity to observe a show that lets this talented quartet break the fourth wall (“love your body, your belly and your booty”) and make some new friends.
The show’s runtime includes pre- and post-show play for the little ones.
4 stars.
Vasthy and Friends – Sing, Dance, Play! was part of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.
For more on Vasthy and Friends, visit their website.
I reviewed this show from a recording provided by Vasthy’s publicist.