By Jason and Alisha Hagey
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is an effervescent burst of humor, heart, and hijinks that proves children’s theater can be as innovative and entertaining as anything on Broadway. Based on the well-loved picture books by Mo Willems, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! reaches new theatrical heights while capturing the joy and mayhem of the original tales with its charming writing and catchy songs. The show is an exciting, hilarious adventure that appeals to both young and old.
Mo Willems (Script & Lyrics) and Tom Warburton (Script) take the whimsical world of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and elevate it with clever dialogue and boundless imagination. The musical score, composed by Deborah Wicks La Puma (Music), is an earworm-laden success, offering a mix of toe-tapping numbers and tender (albeit silly) ballads that give the story a depth beyond its picture-book roots.
The narrative is straightforward yet irresistibly engaging: the audience joins the Bus Driver in ensuring that a feisty, wide-eyed Pigeon doesn’t take control of the steering wheel. Along the way, the Pigeon explores big feelings like frustration, ambition, and the joy of dreaming, all wrapped in songs and slapstick comedy.
Under Penelope Caywood’s (Director/Choreographer/Music Director) inspired vision, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! becomes a symphony of controlled chaos. Caywood orchestrates each scene to achieve a humorous effect yet maintains a sense of naturalness and freshness. The direction expertly balances the show’s dramatic flair and homage to Willems’ trademark wit. The audience involvement elements, a crucial aspect of engaging younger viewers, are seamlessly integrated, making every child in the theater feel like a co-conspirator in Pigeon’s mischievous schemes. The effect is mesmerizing.
Joseph Paul Branca (Pigeon) doesn’t just play the Pigeon – he becomes the Pigeon. Branca reaches new heights in a career of superb performances as he captures the bird’s chaotic energy, comic timing, and complex sensitivity. With both hands involved in puppetry and exaggerated facial expressions that would make even an experienced cartoonist envious, his performance is a masterwork of physical comedy. Branca’s puppetry is seamless; he channels The Muppets with panache. Branca was born to play Pigeon.
The extraordinary puppets of Carole D’Agostino enhance this performance, rented from the original Kennedy Center production by SLAC.
Wendy Joseph (Bus Driver) brings warmth and authority to the Bus Driver, a role that grounds the show’s wacky antics. Joseph is a sheer effervescent joy – her constant optimism and confidence are potent counterpoints to Branca’s mania. Additionally, she sings and dances with infectious glee.
The ensemble moves fluidly between playing the parts of birds, passengers, and even inanimate objects like the bus. Laurel Morgan‘s expressive face and skillful gestures make every time she’s on stage unforgettable, while Bryce Romleski‘s deep comedic instincts shine through in scenes as a teenage passenger. Marc Nielson and Alexa Shaheen complete the group with unending vitality, dancing passionately and with massive comedic timing (who knew the word “Capitalism” could conjure hysterics?). Together, they create a collection of characters that bring the world of the play to vivid life.
The costumes by Sofia Paredes-Kenrick (Costume Designer) strike a delightful balance between the literal and the whimsical. The Pigeon’s outfit captures the essence of the puppet based on Willems’ illustrations while allowing Branca’s physical performance to shine. The Bus Driver’s crisp, polished red uniform is stylish and fun. Ensemble members wear versatile costumes that transform with clever additions – a construction hat, a headscarf, or a waterproof mackintosh – to signal their myriad roles, adding to the magic of the production.
Dennis Hassan’s (Scenic Designer) set design is an imaginative playground that feels expansive and intimate. The audience feels as though they have entered Willems’ world because of the cartoonish charm that permeates each element of the set.
The audience is drawn deeper into the Pigeon’s inner world by the poignancy created by the interplay of light and shade in the quieter ballads. Thanks to Jesse Portillo (Lighting Designer), every scene introduces a new character in the lighting.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is an exuberant celebration of creativity, humor, and the strength of discovering your “thing.” This show is a gift to audiences of all ages, thanks to its outstanding cast, colorful design elements, and director who knows the power of live theater. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of Mo Willems or new to the world of the Pigeon, this musical promises an unforgettable ride. For parents, teachers, and anyone who loves children’s theater, this must-see production reminds us of the importance of letting our imaginations take the wheel – even if we don’t let the Pigeon drive the bus.
The show runs about 60 minutes including a talkback with the cast immediately following the performance. There will not be an intermission.
Salt Lake Acting Company Presents Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!
Script by Mo Willems and Tom Warburton. Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma. Lyrics by Mo Willems.
Salt Lake Acting Company
168 West 500 North, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84103
December 6th to December 30th 2024
Fridays 7:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm
There will also be performances on Thursday, December 26tth at 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm,
Monday, December 30th at 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm.
The closing night performance will be at 5:00 pm
Tickets: $27 adults, $17 children
Box Office Phone: 801.363.7522
Box Office Email: info@saltlakeactingcompany.org
Open 11am – 5pm, Mon – Fri
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Mo Willems Website
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