The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen – Play – Review – Seattle Children’s Theatre – Shows I've Seen

@showsiveseen "The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen" #play at Seattle Children's Theatre starring @kataka.j.mackenzie (or understudy Neely Seams). Celebrating a nostalgic tight-knit neighborly #community culture that modern society now lacks. #Kids don't play in the streets anymore! Colorful #hulaHoop-themed #Harlem facade set (from Parmida Ziaei) that opened like a dollhouse. Review: showsiveseen.com/11897 Photos: Truman Buffett Photography Director: Jacole Kitchen #showsiveseen #theatre #hulahoops ♬ Work Hard – Tony Brown & Chantelle Readman

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen play at Seattle Children’s Theatre. Celebrating a nostalgic tight-knit neighborly community culture that modern society now lacks. Kids don’t play in the streets anymore! Colorful hula hoop-themed Harlem facade set (from Parmida Ziaei) that opened like a dollhouse.

Recommendation:
See it if you want your kids to experience live theatre.

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? No

Mainstream Appeal: Medium

If A Random Stranger Asked What Show They Should See This Weekend, Would I Mention This Production? Only if they were taking kids

My Synopsis (No Spoilers): Kameeka dreams of being crowned the best hula-hooper in Harlem, but her ambition comes at a steep cost: her friendships and responsibilities. As she grapples with her pursuit of glory, Kameeka must decide if her goal is worth the sacrifices it requires.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Three Harlem girls vie for the crown of The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen, encouraged and mentored by the community elders in master playwright Gloria Bond Clunie’s spirited adaptation of Thelma Lynne Godin’s book. A sweet, funny, and energetic slice-of-life reminder of the essential loops that bind our communities.

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: A couple

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Few

Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Mostly static, but one of the Harlem homes opened up to show the interior like a dollhouse.

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No

Defined Plot/Storyline: Mostly yes

Union Actors: 2

Total Actors: 6

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Was there an intermission? No

Length (Including Any Intermission): 70 minutes

Other Rave(s)

Miz Adeline: I always enjoy Michelle Blackmon’s portrayals on-stage. In this production, she played Miz Adeline, the beloved community matriarch.

Rant(s)

Sound: The production would have greatly benefited from microphones. Even sitting up close, I struggled to catch many lines. I can only imagine how difficult it must be for those in the back rows. Perhaps they were counting on young kids having particularly sharp ears compared to this aging millennial?

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

Competition: I can’t say that I agree with the message that winning means sacrificing friendship. If there’s no winner, where’s the fun in competition? It reminds me of the flawed weak “everyone gets a trophy” mentality, which undermines the value of true competition.
Target Audience: Unlike many other productions at Seattle Children’s Theatre that appeal to a broad range of ages, this show seems to be specifically geared towards younger audiences what with the “calamity” involving cake. In contrast, productions like The Snow Queen, Luchadora!, The Boy Who Kissed the Sky, and Diary of Anne Frank offer a more mature script and plot that adults without kids can easily appreciate.

Theatre Company: Seattle Children’s Theatre

Venue: Charlotte Martin Theatre at Seattle Children’s Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 201 Thomas St, Seattle, WA 98109

Price Range: $20-50

Ticket Affordability Options: Check out the theatre’s discount page.

Dates: 2/12/25 to 3/23/25

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: Paid street parking or various paid parking lots/garages. Street parking is sparse when there’s a major Seattle Center or Climate Pledge Arena event. I usually find luck with street parking around Lenny Wilkins Way next to the theatre on non-event days. I try to take the bus on event days since even the event street parking costs more than $12.

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Pictures: See production pictures below by Truman Buffett Photography.

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures below.