Review by Samantha Robison
Don’t walk. Run! Load up the family wagon and make a beeline to Lincolnshire. The perfect cure for the dog days of Summer, the Marriott Theatre children’s series hits all the right feels with Elephant and Piggie’s “We Are In a Play!” Reminiscent of Seussical, the Musical, beloved children’s author Mo Willems brings us a script that plucks storylines from across the many adventures in his wildly popular “Elephant and Piggie” series. Willems partnered with composer Deborah Wicks La Puma, a familiar pairing who have brought two other book series to the stage. An undeniably creative partnership, these two successfully constructed a must-see gift for families, brimming with toe-tapping musical numbers, plenty of laugh-out-loud humor, & heartwarming moments that make you want to call your best friend to say “You’re the best!”.
Presented in theatre-in-the-round (the audience completely surrounds the stage), Elephant and Piggie are brought to life in a colorful world designed by Eric Luchen (scenic, props) and Brian Elston (lights). Larger-than-life books and toy boxes adorn the stage on a multi-level checkerboard floor. A halo of large tv monitors sits high above the stage, piquing curiosity for their impending role. Having seen many previous productions at the Marriott, I was acutely aware that we were in for delightful surprises all around us, as four large aisles slice through the audience, creating runways for the actors to descend onto the stage. The layout is a director’s playground, and Johanna McKenzie Miller masterfully uses every inch of space. It is no easy task to ensure that action can be seen and enjoyed at every angle. Miller, along with choreographer Laura Savage, fills the space with so much movement, it felt like a marvelous carnival ride that I hoped wouldn’t end too soon.
Elephant (Gerald) & Piggie, played by Lorenzo Rush Jr. and Lillian Castillo, might very well be my new favorite acting duo. From their first simple lines calling out “Gerald!” and “Piggie!” on repeat as they frantically search for one another, their full-body acting and over-the-top expressions are spellbinding. And their height difference was pure casting brilliance, effectively convincing us that the unlikely friends are from opposite ends of the animal kingdom.
Rush Jr.’s dramatic “gasps” elicit elephant-sized laughs from everyone. His physical comedic acting is on par with the greats of SNL and Second City. Castillo is perfectly charming and convincingly childlike. Her joy and energy are infectious, just as readers would expect of their beloved Piggie. Memorable scenes like “Best Off” and “Elephant in the Room” are absolutely blissful. I will surely be checking the actors’ social media to keep up with their careers and next projects.
Matthew Chase’s sound design adds so much fun to the imaginative script. Well-timed sound effects really enhance the lines and provide a cartoon-like quality to the live action. Laura Savage, along with assistant choreographer, Matthew Weidenbener, gives incredible life to each scene, particularly with the Squirrelles. The furry trio, played by Brian Bandura, Sara Reinecke, and Ciarra Stroud, are fabulously entertaining. I loved the Diana Ross and The Supremes quality in their choreography and attitude.
This production is filled with surprises that will make even the eldest audience member feel like a kid again. The final scene of the play is simply too much fun! Kids and parents alike will be overjoyed to interact with the cast. My kids and I were still doing the Flippy Floppy Floory dance on the ride home. The cast also treats the audience to a brief Q&A right on stage following the performance. They kindly let parents know that it’s ok to leave (because sitting for a whole hour can be a giant task for some young audience goers!). I can’t recommend this production highly enough. While camps and summer activities are coming to a close and we’re all gearing up for Fall, add Elephant and Piggie to your to-do list before the kids go back to school.
The show runs through August 13 at Marriott Theatre, located at 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire. This special one-hour presentation is a perfect opportunity to introduce your child to live theatre. It plays most Thursdays through Sundays at 10:00 am with select 12:30 pm performances. An ASL-interpreted performance will take place on Saturday, August 12th at 10:00 am.