“Elephant and Piggie: We Are In A Play” reviewed by Edie Reese

***** The tension could not have been higher in the Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre on this Saturday morning. Toddlers to ten-year-olds some with Elephant and Piggie” toys, books, or blankets, talking excitedly about the appearance of their favorite characters. A few children raced up and down the theater aisles. Pre-theater bathroom trips. Moms, dads, grandmas, and grandpas explaining what live theater is to some first-time attendees. The pre-show noise level rivaled that of some rock concerts (although at a higher frequency level and minus the alcohol).

Finally, Patrick Michael Tierney (as Delivery Dog –and later on appearing as Penguin) explained the simple “rules” of the theater—inviting the audience to clap and laugh, advising the audience to keep clear of the aisles and to tell their parents to turn off their cell phones. Then Piggie (Lillian Castillo) entered a vision in pink from the tips of her pale pink ears to the tops of her hot pink shoes. She was joined onstage by Gerald the Elephant (Lorenzo Rush, Jr.), dressed in a more somber grey. Piggie is optimistic and adventurous, while Gerald is more cautious and something of a worry-wart. The dialogue and lyrics come directly from Mo Willems, the author of the “Elephant and Piggie” book series, a collection of 25 books aimed at early readers. The music is composed by Deborah Wicks La Puma, who specializes in compositions and orchestrations for shows for young audiences.

Rounding out the cast are the Squirrelles, a trio of singing and dancing squirrels who participate in and comment on the action. Ciarra Stroud, Brian Bandura and Sara Reinecke are well-matched in blended harmony. They have some rather inventive choreography as well—you’ve got to see the rodent version of water ballet performed on those little four-wheeled scooters you used to use in gym class. The Squirrelles are also the best-dressed squirrels in the neighborhood, with their matching autumn-hued outfits with acorn-shaped pockets.

The entire cast has significant musical theater bonafides and have also appeared in shows aimed at adult audiences on local, regional and (in some cases) national levels. Lillian Castillio deserves special mention for her extraordinary vocal power and range.

The in-the-round format of the Marriott Theatre is the perfect format for young audiences, as there is not a bad seat in the house. Numerous overhead projections repeat words used in the show so that the kids can read them, enhancing the theater experience. Audience participation is encouraged (and directed) by the cast, and there is a delightful surprise mid-show. The show is an hour long with no intermission, and there are enough “Easter eggs” hidden in the dialogue to keep any adults in the audience entertained.

There is an optional Q & A session with the cast onstage following the show, and certain characters may also do a “meet and greet” in the lobby following the Q & A session.

The show is playing now through August 13 at the Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire . (Marriott Drive is just off Milwaukee Avenue.)

Performances are:

Thursdays and Fridays at 10a.m.,

Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Sundays at 10 a.m.

There is no performance on Thursday, August 9. There is a special ASL performance on Saturday, August 12 at 10 a.m., please contact the box office (847-634-0200) for special seating.) Standard ticket price for all seats is $15.75. Please contact the box office for group rates. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.marriotttheatre.com. There is ample parking surrounding the theater and hotel grounds.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Elephant and Piggie: We Are In A Play”.

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