#PickoftheWeek | Mr. Hatch Falls In Love, Puppet-Style, On Saturday


Mr. Hatch works at a shoelace factory where he eats lunch by himself. At night, he reads the paper and goes to bed early. He doesn’t like change and he’s happy to be alone in his colorless world.

At least, he thinks he’s happy. On Valentine’s Day, he receives a candy-filled heart with a note that whispers: “Somebody loves you.”

Boom! An inspired Mr. Hatch begins to make friends and have fun. Then, he takes the audience on an emotional journey as he searches for his secret admirer and enjoys the biggest surprise of his life.

Vancouver-based Axis Theatre presents Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, which is based on a children’s tale by Eileen Spinelli, on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 2:15 pm.

“The message of this absolutely lovely and adorable play is still as current as it was when the book was written more than 30 years ago,” stated Flushing Town Hall’s Executive and Artistic Director Ellen Kodadek, “and we are thrilled to share the spirit of kindness with our family audiences.”

Tickets for Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch cost $15 for adults and $8 for children.

Plus, a hands-on workshop is scheduled for 1 pm. Cast members will teach how to design and build shadow puppets and how to play with them on a stage or shadow screen. (Admission is $5 for all ages.)

Founded in 1975, Axis Theatre incorporates aspects of clown, commedia dell’arte, music, movement, and puppetry to produce original plays. The troupe’s 59 original works have earned 24 Jessie Richardson Awards, a Betty Mitchell Award, and a Drama Desk Nomination for Unique Theatrical Experience.

Flushing Town Hall is located at 137-35 Northern Blvd.

Editor’s note: Can’t attend a show in person? Flushing Town Hall has launched Culture Stream. The platform shares more than 30 live events per year, and subscriptions start at $5 per month.

Images: Flushing Town Hall/Axis Theatre