Review: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

October 5, 2011 midnight

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

Oct. 4- Nov. 12, 2011 on the H&R Block City Stage on level B at Union Station produced by Theatre for Young America. Call 816.460.2083 or visit www.tya.org for ticket prices and show times.

If you take a child to a "good" children's show it will hold their attention without fidgets and wiggles. If you take a child to a "great" chidlren's show it will set the entire audience into roars of laughter and leave the children talking about the performance all day long.... and then they'll want to tell daddy all about it... and then they'll want to tell grandma... and then they'll want to tell their aunts... and then they'll wake up the next morning wanting to see the show again.... and that is just what happened at my house after attending opening day of Theatre for Young America's "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie."

Laura Joffe Numeroff's "If you..." Children's Series is popular in our home where each reading leaves my girls laughing, so they were especially excited to attend the "If you Give a Mouse a Cookie" at Theatre for Young America. With TYA's trademark simplicity of sets, costumes, and props, the beloved story came to life as two actors took the stage and followed very simple narration - straight from the book.

The tale begins as a young boy is visited by a mouse (who happens to talk) and requests a cookie.... when you give a mouse a cookie, they want some milk... with a straw... and each event leads to another until the boy's home is turned upside down in chaos with the mouse's silly antics and the two try to "clean up" complete with bubbles and a mop. The show is full of good old-fashioned physical humor and slapstick. The creativity of the cast played out well and with each stunt the mouse pulled, the children roared with laughter.

What Moms Appreciate about the Show:

After the performance, the cast takes questions from the audience so children can ask about the special effects (bubble machine, giant roll of plastic wrap used to depict scotch tape), how the props are made, and details of rehearsal. I love that TYA always includes Q & A after their performances so inquisitive children can learn more about the show and get the scoop straight from the performers who can show them the props and answers more easily than I can explain them on the way home.
The props, costumes, and storytelling are simple and fast-paced. My children were attentive throughout the entire show and the simplicity of it was perfect for preschoolers and engaging for their imaginations. It's nice to enjoy shows that inspire children to come home and make believe with their own household items.
Laughter.... I don't recall hearing this much laughter during a children's show in a long time! The entire audience was roaring with laughter throughout the show, but the story held attention well enough that they quieted down between scenarios eager to see what happens next.
It was just the right length! Not too short and not too long.
The show captivated my girls so well that they were able to retell the entire story almost verbatim repeatedly.

What Kids Appreciate about the Show:

It's very funny!
It kept them guessing... where did the smoke come from? The clatters and bangs in the closet? The bubbles? The giant scotch-tape?
The show is full of memorable and funny scenes kids will talk about for days..... or at least that's what is happening at my house!

If you're looking for fun entertainment for little ones this fall, consider an outing to TYA's "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie." We recommend this show for early elementary and preschool children.

Review by Kristina Light

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