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.
