Variety Show’s Music, Madness Are for Kids

In a hodgepodge of a show at the Studio City Recreation Center on Sunday, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” was sung by a cowboy on stilts; a Neil Diamond feel-good song was purposely butchered; and the “William Tell Overture” was used as a segue into a bizarre skit involving jumper cables reviving a man with an arrow through his head.

“We play what we know,” said Michael Heatherton, the stilt-wearing cowboy and a professional clown and performer in the group Lou Wow and the Poi Boys, which performed in the “Heads in the Clouds “ show.

Silliness is the rule of this show for children, which will be performed the next two Sundays at 11 a.m. The show is produced by the Studio City Park Players.

Heatherton and three collaborators meshed together a show that included stilt walking, juggling, rope walking and dish spinning, as well as music on trombone, accordion, trumpet and drums. About 40% of the show is improvised, Heatherton said.

While many of those in the crowd of about 50 were from Studio City, Mary Collins of Canyon Country brought her 5-year-old granddaughter, Kelly Boardman. “She’s a very active 5,” said Collins. “I wish there was more for her to do like this.”

Kelly spontaneously started dancing on a park table with Jennifer Sloatman, a 5-year-old from North Hollywood, when the performers started playing ‘60s surfer music.

Children like Jennifer and Kelly occasionally got into the show, either by design, as audience volunteers, or from misplaced enthusiasm.

“That’s kind of the idea,” said Palmer Packard, the theater’s artistic director. “We like to involve the kids.”

The performers included veterans of the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus and shows performed at Universal Studios and Disneyland.

The Studio City Park Players have produced plays at the recreation center for 33 years, and five years ago started its outdoor performances for children. The “Heads in the Clouds” show costs $5 for adults, $3 for children.