Theater Reviews

Jul 20, 2008 - "Go, Diego, Go!" plays Reno's Pioneer Center during the Biggest Little City's Artown festival and wows oodles of munchkin-size kids

By Jack Neal

“Go, Diego, Go!” isn’t the usual kind of show for a theater critic, but the show’s recent Reno outing for the Biggest Little City’s Artown July-long Festival was an absolute blast for scads of little kids and older types who love seeing children have fun.

In a 65-minute show trying to find Baby Jaguar’s growl, Diego Martinez – who’s supposed to be eight, and looked young but a bit older than eight – romps through colorful rain forests looking for whatever container houses cute little Baby Jaguar’s growl.

The show is a Latin American smorgasbord of upbeat show tunes (a very nice “Silly Rainforest River” among several others), dances and phrases. The show’s creators have been wise enough to crash through whatever fourth wall shows usually have for an interactive fun time that gets kids out of their seats and into the aisles shaking their booties away. And what a hoot it is. Shouts from the stage, begs shouts from the kids, and the kids are thrilled to oblige.

The stylish sets are of the vivid Technicolor kind that prompted Dorothy to say, “Somehow, Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore!” Sets, costuming, lighting, underscoring and sound could not have been better. Hats off to producers who don’t want to deafen kids (and adults) watching their show. The only drawback to the educational value of “Go, Diego, Go!” (and shows of its ilk) are the sales of overpriced “stuff” kids want mom and dad to buy before the show, after the show and at intermission (a hefty 25 minutes). At least with “Go, Diego, Go!” everyone was given a jaguar mask as part of the price of admission.

As much fun as the show is, it’s Diego’s quest to save animals that’s most appealing. Joining Diego’s rescue crusades is sister Alicia, and – in Act II – Dora the Explorer.

“Go, Diego, Go!” Played Reno’s Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts last Wednesday (7/16/08) before two large audiences (1 p.m. and 7 p.m.). Kids can’t help but fall in love with Diego, Alicia, Dora and forests and seas of dolphins, otters, elephants, iguanas, prairie dogs, turtles - you name it, it’s in the show. Everything is fresh and fun, colorful and witty, short and sweet. For those who haven’t seen the TV show from whence the stage show springs, it’s on the Nickelodeon Channel.

There were no programs, so it’s not possible to give credit where credit is due. The cast is first-rate and ever so pumped up and happy. In one of my more sardonic thoughts watching the eternally happy look on everyone’s eternally happy face, I couldn’t help but imagine what a Carol Burnett sketch might do with this show.

“Go, Diego, Go!” producers have sought out expertise on authentic animal traits and science education consultant Mario Castellanos (Project Director of Science Outreach for the Smithsonian National Zoological Park) has obliged, making “Go, Diego, Go!” a class-act kid’s show that that’s as educational as it’s entertaining.