Madagascar: A Musical Adventure at The Coterie - Summer 2016

This summer's production at The Coterie, "Madagascar: A Musical Adventure," delivers a crack-a-lackin' good time for the entire family! I always look forward to The Coterie's productions because of their unwavering talent for making each and every experience feel like your very first visit. 

My girls (4, 6, 8, and 10) have laughed their way through DreamWorks' Madagascar movies for years, so they were especially excited to see The Coterie's stage production. The musical follows the same plot from the original film, with animals living in Central Park Zoo. Alex (Patrick Beasley), the lion, is the star of the zoo and he loves to perform for crowds. Marty  (Donovan Woods), the zebra, is the lovable best friend and pal - who finds himself dreaming of seeing new places and returning to the wild. Melman (Joey Boos), the giraffe, is a hypochondriac who is also in love with the vain and girly Gloria (Enjoli Gavin), the hippo. Through a series of misadventures, this foursome finds themselves on an accidental adventure to Madagascar where they also encounter a band of hilarious penguins (Steven Eubank, Darrington Clark, Fisher Stewart, and Kyra Weinberger) plotting their own return to Antarctica. Once they land in Madagascar, they meet King Julian (Francisco Javier Villegas) and Maurice (Callie Rodina), leaders of the lemurs, who look up to them as protectors against their predators, the fossa. 

Before the show begins, children are taught key dance moves to participate in a "live dance party" to the Madagascar  favorite "Move It, Move It." My younger girls really loved dancing with the entire audience and the actors. The show introduces a lot of new songs to the story, each moving the plot along and telling the original story in a fresh way.

This production offers a crack-a-lackin' good time for the entire family! Children from preschool to early elementary especially enjoy the show. The creative costumes, vibrant and colorful sets, fun-filled music, and humor throughout the show make this a summer smash hit for Kansas City Kids!

Tip: While you're there, head over to see The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head (a FREE exhibit at Crown Center), or play at Legoland Discovery Center, greet animals at Sea Life, or create art at Hallmark's FREE Kaleidoscope. Or, head next door to Union Station to enjoy time at Science City, visit their Body Worlds exhibit, or watch a film on the Extreme Screen.

Madagascar: A Musical Adventure is showing at The Coterie thru August. 7. Tickets range from $11-18. Call 816.474.6552 for reservations.