Elephant and Piggie's We Are In A Play Reviews

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...Directed by YPT artistic director Randy White, with musical direction by Danny Kapinos (the music is prerecorded) and choreography by Matthew Weidenbener, the show unfolds in a sprightly 60 minutes that seemed to mostly enthrall the young ones in the audience at the show I attended, with a few in-jokes for the olds as well. (Pretty sure a 42nd Street reference during a dance number wasn't for the junior set.)"

Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...The Young People’s Theatre Company of Chicago has been bringing superior work to the Greenhouse Theater Center on Lincoln Avenue. This morning, a full house of adults and children were witness to a sterling production of a Mo Willems’ musical entitled “Elephant and Piggie’s: We Are In A Play!”. a delightful little story about besties, Elephant, Gerald (a delightful interpretation and portrayal by Sam Shankman) and Piggie , named Piggie (deftly handled by Diana Marilyn Alvarez)."

Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended

"...The latest musical by Young People’s Theatre of Chicago is a warm and wonderful treat for the entire family. ELEPHANT & PIGGIE’s “WE ARE IN A PLAY” is a tantalizing, toe-tapping treat for all ages, guaranteed to put a smile on every face, both the young and the not-quite-as-young. If your child isn’t already familiar with the Elephant and Piggie books, as well as the many other creations by Mo Willems (such as Knuffle Bunny, the Pigeon, Cat the Cat and so many others), YPT offers a merchandise booth where the books and plush versions of the characters can be purchased."

Third Coast Review - Highly Recommended

"...I like to think of Mo Willems' beloved character the Pigeon as the Gordon Ramsay of the children's literature world. He has a seemingly hard, brutish shell, but he is a big softy who will always share a cookie, even if he ends up grumbling loudly about it. If Pigeon is Ramsay, Piggie and Gerald the Elephant are like Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg. A friendship duo that at first glance really shouldn't work, a cool-as-ever silly pothead joined with a perfection-seeking neurotic, but the oddities between the two balance each other out, creating a bond that is more than simpatico. Young People's Theatre (YPT) has brought this quirky friendship to life in the way that they do best with simple enthusiasm for the characters and the story they are portraying. Their production of Elephant and Piggie's We are in a Play is a joyful celebration that only this heartfelt, oddly paired camaraderie can bring."