The first time I read an Elephant & Piggie book I didn’t think highly of it. I thought they were too simple, too cliche. I read one, and didn’t pick up another. Every parent raved about these books. Every small child knew who Elephant & Piggie were, offering their recommendations of their favorite stories. It wasn’t until my own children picked Elephant & Piggie books up from the library – on their own – and started reading the simple words, following the simple storylines, laughing and giggling, that I grew to love these books. And I couldn’t wait to see the Elephant & Piggie in real life as they perform at The Marriott Theater in Lincolnshire.
Elephant & Piggie's "We Are in a Play!" is a story that celebrates Elephant & Piggie books written by award-winning, best-selling children's author, Mo Willems.In Elephant & Piggie's "We Are in a Play!", Gerald and Piggie take to the stage in a rollicking adventure that is perfect for young audiences. An elephant named Gerald and a pig named Piggie are best, best, "bestus" (a word Gerald and Piggie made up that means "very best") friends, but Gerald worries that something could go wrong that would end their friendship. Piggie is not worried at all. She's even happier and more excited than usual. That's because she and Gerald are invited to a party hosted by the Squirrelles, three singing squirrels who love to have a good time. And so begins a day when anything is possible. Starring the incomparable and stellar casting of Lillian Castillo (Piggie) and Lorenzo Roy Jr. (Gerald), Elephant & Piggie's "We Are in a Play!" is a perfect way to introduce young people to theater.
Parents and kids will immediately find themselves watching a real life storytelling of their beloved modern classics. From a fun invitation arriving for Piggie, an homage to "I am Invited to a Party!", to sweet moments of party prep lamenting a lack of rhythm, an homage to "Elephants cannot dance,” the play pulls from multiple Elephant & Piggie books, ensuring there is something for everyone. Coupled with smart writing (script and lyrics by Mo Willems), live bubbles, and dancing Squirrells you are watching literature come to life. The Marriott Theater continues to select engaging and relevant plays to produce for children’s theater. “We are in a Play!” was another success in many well curated seasons and will sure to be a crowd favorite.
Leaving the play, I listened to my kids provide Siskel and Ebert quality reviews of the play; what worked, what didn’t, and what was missing (it was the Pigeon!). They asked me my opinions and did not find them sufficient; “you only liked it? You didn’t love it?” And when we arrived home, they wandered off to the library and read every single Elephant and Piggie book we own. What a beautiful thing, to love to read about your favorite Elephant and your favorite Piggie. What a beautiful thing to read.
“We are in a Play!” is playing at the Marriott Theater in Lincolnshire and runs through August 13th. Tickets are available at www.MarriottTheatre.com.
In "Panther in the Sky," playwright Lani T. Montreal masterfully weaves a tapestry of grief, resilience, and redemption through the…
A collaboration of Chicago dance and Germany lighting sculpture live on stage About the Program: This program, set within an…
Broadway In Chicago is excited to announce the pre-Broadway World Premiere of DEATH BECOMES HER is now playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre…
I think my favorite thing – well, one of my favorite things – about Wyatt Kent’s take on HAMLET is…
Frolicking season is upon us once again and Joffrey Ballet welcomes summer with the return of Alexander Ekman’s “Midsummer Night’s…
As the audience takes its seats we are greeted by an atmosphere of foreboding, a trestle bridge girder to the…
Director Chuck Smith returns to Goodman with another major August Wilson revival–“Joe Turner’s Come and Gone”. This is the second…
The Gift Theatre is pleased to announce its 2024-25 season featuring Suzan-Lori Parks' masterpiece Topdog/Underdog directed by Shanésia Davis and the world premiere of Cygnus by Susan Soon He…
Broadway In Chicago is excited to announce that individual tickets for the world premiere of the first ever touring production…
Full cast and crew have been announced for BrightSide Theatre's upcoming production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, the rock opera that…
Chicago Opera Theater (COT), Chicago’s foremost producer of new and reimagined opera, closes its 50th Anniversary season presenting the final performances of…
Tim Rhoze, Artistic Director of Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, has announced the company's 2024 season of four productions. The season will open with…
David Williamson, regarded as one of the top magicians in the world today, makes his Rhapsody Theater debut with Ridiculous! Known for his tours…
Curious Theatre Branch is pleased to announce the 35th annual Rhinoceros Theater Festival, May 25 - June 30 at six venues across Chicago. The…
It’s often said that in the workplace you should refrain from talking about politics and religion; too personal, too easy…
BALLET 5:8 is a female - and minority-led ballet company resident at Harris Theatre in Millenium Park. Under the leadership…
When life’s chaos is full of impossible choices, how are we possibly meant to move forward? Brooklyn Laundry is about…
I would absolutely bomb out of jury selection cos I have a very definite bias: I’ve been a fan(atic) of…
You got trouble, my friends, if you’re going to put on Meredith Willson’s The Music Man. If you’re going to…
This year's Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 65th-anniversary engagement at Chicago's historic Auditorium Theatre held particular importance as it marked…
For the final show of its 30th anniversary season, Trap Door Theatre—the little company that could—has selected a sure-fire hit…
Chicago’s National Landmark Auditorium Theatre (50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) proudly announces its 2024-25 performance season presenting a vibrant mix of…
Chicago Writers' Bloc has announced the lineup of plays and musicals for its biennial festival of new plays, to be…
If you appreciate classical music and captivating stories about brilliant artists from the past, Hershey Felder’s one-man show, Monsieur Chopin:…
Jackalope Theatre Company continues its 16th season at Edgewater’s Berger Park, 6205 N. Sheridan Rd., with the announcement of the cast…
Born and raised in Mexico City, Dr. Ricardo Rosenkranz, MD, Chicago’s own Physician Magician, will celebrate the festive Cinco de Mayo holiday weekend by…
The Player (Lorenze Rush Jr) has just run into Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with his troupe of players. As he explains…
Those were my first words when I left the performance of COCK to David Zak, producer and resident wizard of…
If you’re a magic enthusiast, Joshua Jay’s captivating new show, Look Closer, is currently enchanting audiences at the Rhapsody Theater. But even…
Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name. Sometimes you want to be surrounded by people to experience the…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.