Have you ever tried to explain a serious topic to a young child, or been on the receiving end of children giving their thoughts on everyday problems? After years of working with children, and now having my own, I’ve heard countless explanations and perspectives on everything from heartbreak, bullying, love and even death. Kids have a unique way of just telling it like it is. They don’t fumble through complex social niceties or worry about the political implications of what they say, they just…. say what they’re thinking in a refreshingly honest way.

In the world premiere of CHILD-ish, playwright Sunny Drake details a similar experience when babysitting a 7-year-old experiencing heartbreak. The child’s devastated sobs over her friend “not wanting to marry her anymore” quickly gave way to somersaults, handstands, and laughter as she emerged from the heartbreak on the other side. Amazed at this quick recovery, Drake wondered what else could be learned from children and set off to interview more than 40 children over many years to get their perspective on friendship, love, death, and what they most want adults to realize and understand.

What emerges is a beautiful and awe-inspiring production unlike any other. I laughed, I teared up a bit, and then I left feeling immensely hopeful for the future. The Pacific Theatre stage sits in the middle of two sides of seating, meaning the audience feels like they are part of the action. (Spoiler alert: there is the option to be part of the show if you’re feeling brave!) The set provides a child-like feel with caricatures of children hanging from the ceiling and two large circles at either end to project images and words integral to the play. Adult actors speak the words of children interviewed over the years, but their portrayal is not silly or intended to make fun of what is said, it’s simply to illuminate what the participants want adults to know.

The show itself is hilarious and heartwarming as kids give their perspectives on what people should do if they are being bullied, how to be a good friend, what it means to be in love, and how to support someone who is dealing with a death in the family. I was mesmerized listening to the deep and honest advice and what they most want the adults in their lives to know. An actor portraying Sunny Drake (playwright) walks the audience through the process of putting the script together from the interviews and selecting what will make it into the show, to having the child participants see certain scenes for the first time. Amidst the serious moments of reflection, there are plenty of hilarious interviewee responses that made the cut, such as a child’s insistence that a unicorn of the future will appear and tell them what lies on the horizon. And while no one truly knows what lies ahead in their future or the future lives of their children, CHILD-ish reminds us to be kind to those around us, to stand up for what we believe in, to dance our way through life, and most of all, that everything will be okay because “the unicorn is hopeful” for a bright future.

CHILD-ish presented by Pacific Theatre in partnership with Eastside Story Guild, is on now until March 9th at Pacific Theatre (1440 W. 12th Ave., Vancouver).  The play runs 75 minutes long with no intermission, and the suggested age rating is ages 8+ due to some discussion of death and suicide. This is a must-see show for parents, tweens/teens, and anyone wanting to hear the wisdom of children. Get your tickets here.

CHILD-ish:

Dates: February 9 – March 9, 2024
Time: 2pm, 7:30pm, 8pm
Location: Pacific Theatre
Address: 1440 W. 12th Ave., Vancouver
Website: pacifictheatre.org