Goodnight Moon – The Musical
Based on the book by Margaret Wise Brown
Original Illustrations by Clement Hurd
Book, Lyrics and Music by Chad Hurd
Directed by David Kersnar
Choreographed by Tommy Rapley
Music direction by Andra Velis Simon
Produced by the Chicago Children’s Theatre
At Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre
Little kids adore fun musical – Goodnight Moon
Kids are the most honest audience since they either love or hate a show. I’m glad to report that they adore Goodnight Moon – The Musical. A full house of kids seemed restless waiting for the show to state but once it did, they were totally engaged for the full 65 minutes. That is all you really need to know if you’re thinking of taking your child or grandchild to see this nicely produced musical.
Seeing Bunny (the lovable charming Alex Goodrich) dressed in stripped pajamas as Old Lady (Sara Sevigny) tries to get him to bed since it’s 7PM. This beloved bedtime story gives children an “eyes wide open” experience that they’ll not soon forget.
Cute songs, loads of heart and a colorful use of picture props that magically come to life fuels this romp. The set 9designed by Jacqueline and Richard Penrod with expert lighting by Sarah Hughey set the tone for fun and adventure. The humorous and mischievous antics of bunny to stay awake past his bedtime becomes an avenue for him to play jokes, sing and dance his way through nursery rhymes.Bunny dances with bears with chairs, the Cat (Aaron Holland) and the Fiddle (Becky Poole) , and the Cow Jumping Over the Moon (Sara Sevigny). Bunny also takes a trip through the night sky and he dances with the constellations.
Goodnight Moon -The Musical is a major treat for children of all ages, especially the younger kids. The production values and the charm and whimsy will tickle the delights of all. I can’t thing of a more deserving show to get children into the magic world of live theatre. They’ll get so absorbed into the show that they’ll remember this experience for a long time. It is a fun, well produced and acted theatre piece.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2011
For full show information, check out the Goodnight Moon page at Theatre In Chicago.
At Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL, $26 children, $36 adults, call 773-871-3000, www.chicagochildrenstheatre.org, Tuesday thru Friday at 10:15 am, Saturdays & Sundays at 11 am & 3 pm, running time is 65 minutes without intermission, through December 23, 2011