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MILWAUKEE
- How much is too much? Are we allowed to like what we like without being judged
by those who don’t like what we do? Can we be ourselves?
Those
are the questions that drive the delightful musical, “Pinkalicious,”
presently playing at First Stage Children’s Theater.
On
this night, the Pinktastic cast did a fine job of telling the story of poor
Pinkalicious and her brother Peter, who both loved pink. Because they couldn’t
control their liking for pink cupcakes, they soon experienced adverse effects.
Pinkalicious’
hair turned pink and then red. Doctor Wink diagnosed her as suffering from a
rare disease called Pinkatitus. Her brother Peter suffered from the others’
judgments. Boys aren’t supposed to like pink because of some arbitrary
“rule” of society. Who decides what colors others can like anyway?
So
they started eating green foods to cure them of their affliction. In their
minds, the cure was worse than the disease. Meanwhile, their father and mother
both admitted that they liked pink, too. Is this whole family weird?
The
production overall is very entertaining. The costumes, especially those of the
dancing pink cupcakes, the tap dancing Doctor Wink, the revelations of
Pinkalicious’ father, the protests of Peter, who feels neglected, the ever
changing scenic and lighting changes - all these factors keep us amused and
interested. We have Alison Siple’s costumes, Jason Coale’s scenic design and
Jesse Klug’s lighting design to thank for all the colorful effects.
Mallorey
Wallace and Cole Winston as Pinkalicious and Peter are strong singers and
credible actors. Niffer Clarke and Gustavo Mellado, who played their parents,
rendered their roles well, but Karen Estrada as Doctor Wink was especially
memorable in her cameo role as the tap-dancing diagnostician. I have seen
Estrada ace many roles but never as a dancer. Add that to her list of
accomplishments.
You
could tell from the children’s overt responses that they loved Pinkalicious’
costumes and singing, the cupcakes dances, the physical humor, Pinkalicious’
beautiful bed and the multicolored set. Some of them probably also understood
the wisdom of moderation, an important lesson to learn. There were many very
young children in the audience, and they were very attentive throughout, always
a sign of success.
“Pinkalicious”
is directed by John Maclay with musical direction by Jamie Johns and
choreography by Jessica Redish.
“Pinkalicious”
runs through March 24 at First Stage Children’s Theater in the Todd Wehr
Theater of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St.,
Milwaukee. Call 414-273-7206 for show times and tickets or visit www.firststage.org
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