[rating=4] I am very glad to see more theater for children popping up in Chicago. The Young People’s Theatre of Chicago company is bringing us new works in the newly remodeled
upstairs theater at The Greenhouse Theater Center on Lincoln Avenue. As you know my grandkids have “aged out” of attending many of these presentations and over the last several years, I have found one or two kids to assist me in my review. When I was at Marriott in Lincolnshire, I was assisted by Tyler Baldocchi of Vernon Hills. She added a lot to my “Charlie Brown” review so I invited her, her mom, and “Nana” Ellen to join me at “Dory Fantasmagory”.
Tyler said she liked the play and didn’t dislike anything. Her favorite part was the end because it was fun with a lot of energy. Her favorite character was Mary because Tyler thought she was funny. She was laughing out loud at “poop deck”.
From time to time, I looked over at Tyler and watched her facial expression as the play, which is a little over an hour long , evolved. Based on the book series written by Abby Hanlon ( who is also the illustrator), playwright John Glore has created a fun show for kids. Dory, the main character is played to perfection by Maya Lou Hlava who has amazing energy and a great smile. She is the youngest child of three, with an older sister, Violoet( deftly handled by Teagan Earley) who has no love for being a sort of caretaker for her little sister, and would rather play with her special doll. She also has a brother Luke ( played by Alex Benito Rodriguez , who also handled Mr.Ny’s “fairy Godmother”?).
Dory has a unique imagination and as part of her life an imaginary friend, Mary ( deftly handled by Jin Park). Mary can only be seen by Dory, and we the audience. Yes, we are part of the show. As the story unfolds, little by little, Luke can see Mary and later the audience as well. It takes a long time for Violet to get into the story for good, but at the end she will. Mother (Tamser Glaser, who also plays the evil Mrs. Gobble Gracker) rounds out the cast.
FYI Violet and Luke tell Dory that Mrs. GobbleGracker is coming to eat her, so Dory plans to foil the plan by shooting her with a dart that will make her sleep. That works for a while, but then Dory pretends to be a puppy and we get some laughs.
Violet calls her little sister “Rascal” and watching her exploits, we can fully understand that. We get to watch her battle witches and do stuff so her siblings will make her part of their playtime. Director Randy White has set this to a fast pace that keeps the mostly 4-6-year-olds in the audience involved in the show. Not an easy task but with the music ( Sam Shankman) and choreography (Matthew Weidenbener ) it works. Shayna Patel’s set is well done and allows for easy set changes. The lighting (Bridget Williams) and sound (Kurt Ottinger & Mike Price) and props (Saskia Bakker) are all wonderful parts of the whole, making the production run smoothly, again to keep the youngsters in the story!
The kids in the audience that were familiar with the books said that the story is very well followed, but if you are unfamiliar with the character, it will not hinder the beauty of this story or the production , now having its “World Premiere” at The Greenhouse Theater Center. Go watch the little rascal with the big imagination and lots of curiosity, Dory FantasMagory!
The Greenhouse Theater Center
2257 N Lincoln Avenue Chicago
2257 N Lincoln Avenue Chicago
Presented by Young People’s Theatre of Chicago
May 6 – May 28, 2023
Sat, May 6:10:00am & 1:00pmSun, May 7:1:00pm
Sat, May 13:10:00am & 1:00pm
Sun, May 14:1:00pm
Sat, May 20:10:00am & 1:00pm
Sun, May 21:1:00pm
Fri, May 26:7:00pm
Sat, May 27:10:00am & 1:00pm
Sun, May 28:10:00am & 1:00pm
Box office number is 773-404-7336 www.yptchi.org
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Dory Fantasmagory”.
Tyler, thanks. See you at the theater!
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