Editor's Note: Will Gosner, age 9, takes a look at The Short Tree and the Bird That Could Not Sing, a new puppet show put on at the Cabaret Theatre by Childsplay, the fine children's theatre company based in Tempe. Tucson Weekly: What was the play about? Will: It was about a short tree that had two friends. Do you want me to tell you the main basis? TW: Yes. Will: He had two big tree friends that could see everywhere all around. One day some tree cutters came along and they chopped down his two friends. He was really lonely and all of a sudden he heard a horrible noise and this bird came along and it was singing. Her singing was horrible. Then it was starting to be winter and getting cold and it was getting time for the bird to migrate South. The tree didn't want her to go because he thought he would be really really lonely. Then finally the bird migrated South. The tree met his shadow and they talked for a while. The shadow said you'll probably be able to make some friends if you stay up all night. The tree was scared to because he was sort of afraid of the dark but he did in the end. He made a new friend, which was the North Wind. He made another friend, which was the Big Dipper. He let a squirrel stay in his trunk. The bird has lots of adventures like meeting an alligator who tried to eat her. And a snowman wedding. She finally got back and the tree was really happy that she was back. TW: What was the main thing the tree learned? Will: That he could make a lot of friends. TW: What did you like about the play? Will: I liked the way the actors showed the puppets' personalities by making the tone of voice, how loud they said it. The bird had a loud voice, joyful, always sort of happy. The tree had sort of a sad voice. He was nice and calm. I liked the set. The set was really detailed. It was made out of six boxes. Each one was a different scene. The center was really big, which the tree was in. The bird traveled from place to place. The actors opened the doors to them. Sometimes you could see the actors' arms when they were using the puppets. I think it was a pretty well-worked out thing. They had to do a lot of teamwork organizing each puppet and making them move. There were three actors. TW: Was it a good idea to do the play as a puppet show? Will: For little kids it was better as a puppet show. For older kids, maybe it would be better with costumes on actors. The little kids seemed to like it. They would laugh at some things and they'd be quiet. TW: What didn't you like about the play? Will: I think I liked everything. The Short Tree and the Bird That Could Not Sing continues at 7:30 p.m. Friday, and at 2 and 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Cabaret Theatre, upstairs at the Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. Tickets are $12.25 for adults, $9.25 for students and seniors. For reservations call 1-800-583-7831.

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