Review: Dragons Love Tacos at The Coterie
Photo by Jordan Rice and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre.
Dragons Love Tacos featuring (left to right) Riley Lucas (as White Dragon), Caleigh Michnowicz (as Blue Dragon), Jenise Cook (as Yellow Dragon/production choreographer), and Eileen Dixon (as Red Dragon).
We are grateful to once again enjoy summer theater in the outdoors in Kansas City! This summer, The Coterie, our local children's theater, presents 306 Theatre Troupe (from UMKC Theatre) in Dragons Love Tacos thru Aug. 8, 2021. This show, designed with the youngest theater-going audience in mind, is a creative and funny romp through the New York Times best-selling children's book Dragons Love Tacos. With vibrant costumes and imaginative storytelling, this is a fun show for little ones (we recommend it for early elementary and preschool-aged children).
About: Dragons Love Tacos Written by Ernie Nolan. Based on the book by Adam Rubin. Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri. Directed by Stephanie Roberts. Choreographed by Jenise Cook. Based on the #1 New York Times bestselling phenomenon! Click here for tickets and showtimes.
Photo by Jordan Rice and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre.
Dragons Love Tacos featuring (pictured front to back) Hieu Bui (as Boy) and Jenise Cook (as Yellow Dragon) in the cast.
OUTSIDE PERFORMANCES AT CROWN CENTER
Dragons Love Tacos will perform outdoors at the Entertainment Pavilion, under the canopy in Crown Center Square. It is a socially distanced event with reserved seating, with at least 6 feet of space between groups. Once at Crown Center Square Entertainment Pavilion, they ask that everyone wear masks going to and from their seats. However, once in your seats, if you feel comfortable removing your mask, you may do so. Check-in will be located at the Entertainment Pavilion, so there is no need to go to the Coterie Box Office beforehand. Check-in will open 30 minutes before showtime. PLEASE NOTE: Everyone attending the performance, regardless of age, must have a paid admission.
KC Parent Review of Dragons Love Tacos:
Like many of our readers, I am thankful to enjoy beloved family traditions once again, and outdoor summer theater is one of my favorites. This summer, The Coterie, approached theater with a creative solution and they are offering their seasonal show outside at the Crown Center Entertainment Pavilion (under the canopy for the Ice Terrace).
Photo by Jordan Rice and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre.
Dragons Love Tacos featuring (left to right) Michael T. Oakes (as Man in Suit), Hieu Ngoc Bui (as Boy), and Chelsea Rolfes (as Leroy).
Watching Dragons Love Tacos, the audience observes a boy and his dog as he avoids completing his homework. Bored, he resorts to channel surfing and lands on a television program about dragons. The show narrator reveals "mind-blowing secrets" about dragons throughout the program, the biggest of all being that... Dragons LOVE tacos! But, there is an important word of warning... they do not like SPICY tacos and if you happen to make the mistake of feeding them spicy tacos, it may result in fiery consequences.
The 50-minute program is filled with music and dancing as the red, blue, white, and yellow dragons come to life leaping from the television screen to the boys' home. This brings about predictable and funny results as the boy and his puppy throw a taco party for the dragons.
We were impressed by the fantastic costumes, colorful sets, and fun staging for this show. For more fun, check out Adam Rubin's books from the library and enjoy them at home. In addition to Dragons Love Tacos, he also wrote The Ice Cream Machine, Gladys the Magic Chicken, and more funny stores kids love.
TIP: While you're there, participate in Crown Center's Passport to Summer Fun!
For those ready to enjoy a vacation or staycation, the Crown Center Passport to Summer Fun offers a great way to discover and experience all there is to do at Crown Center, especially for families with children. The Passport to Summer Fun booklet contains different “missions” to complete, such as grabbing a selfie with a sea turtle at SEA LIFE Aquarium, taking in a performance of "Dragons Love Tacos" at The Coterie Theatre, or eating at Crown Center’s restaurants. Each mission will have a stamp to add to the Passport when the activity requirements are met. By completing six missions, guests can earn a $25 Crown Center Gift Card, or by completing 10 missions, they can earn a $50 Crown Center Gift Card*. For promotion details and to register for a passport, visit CrownCenter.com/passport or stop by Crown Center Customer Service, Crown Center Shops, Level 2, during shop hours. Valid May 29 – Sept. 6, 2021. 816-274-8444.
Bonus Tip: Kaleidoscope at Home
You stop by the Crown Center Shops to pick up free art sacks and bring creative fun home! Each sack includes a variety of shapes and art materials along with sticker sheets. Some shapes will change to correspond to the time of year. Crown Center Customer Service, Level 2, has graciously agreed to be the pick-up spot for these creative art sacks. Just drop by any day between noon-4:00 p.m. Limit 5 per adult, while supplies last. You call Kaleidoscope at 816-274-8300 and press 3 to hear an original creative message or press 4 to hear a Hallmark song about the fun of imagination!
J Robert Schraeder