Interactive family production inspired by an Ashanti/Akan fable in which children make props and sound effects that become part of the story.
Curio Theatre Company is bringing Anansi the Spider: A Make/Partake Experience to West Philadelphia this November, a production that asks the kids to do more than just sit in their seats. It's based on an African fable from the Ashanti and Akan people of Ghana, centered on the trickster figure Anansi, who ends up as the keeper of all the world's stories.
The show runs in Curio's "Make/Partake" format, which they first introduced back in 2021. Instead of just watching the story unfold, the young audience members become part of the production: they make props, create sound effects, and even help control the weather, and then they get to see their contributions woven right into the performance. It's designed for children ages 3 and up, so it's a good fit for families with little ones who have a hard time staying still for a full show.
Behind the scenes, Mya Flood directs, with Jerome Scott, Taahira Teshi, and Janaan Ashton on stage. The production is a family affair from the start, and the interactive part is the whole point—the kids aren't just watching a story about a trickster spider; they're helping build the world he lives in.
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There's a preview on Friday, November 6, at 6 PM, and the show officially opens on Saturday, November 7, running through Sunday, November 22. After the opening, performances are Saturdays at 11 AM and 1 PM, and Sundays at 1 PM, so you can pick a morning or early afternoon slot that works for your schedule.
