TADA!, the youthful theater company that is a 16 year old itself, presents a step back into its own youth with The Little House of Cookies, running Dec. 22-Jan. 21 at the TADA! Theatre in midtown Manhattan.
In Little House, the neighborhood kids come up with the idea to use an abandoned house as a 'boys-only' clubhouse. But the house has a different plan; when they try to enter, the door becomes too small for them. However, Jane and Alice have no problem turning the house into a homemade cookie shop. That is, until the mean old landlord arrives to collect rent...
Little House was the first musical produced by the company in 1984. The "scrumptious musical," as it is billed, is based on "The Tiny Little House" by Eleanor Clymer. TADA! artistic director Janine Nina Trevens, who adapted the show and directed the original production, told Playbill On-Line that she brought it back because she "likes what it has to say." Joel Gelpe composed original music and also wrote the lyrics.
Michael Perreca directs the production this time around with a cast of kids from 8 to 16 years-old that includes Devon Beckford, Gillian Boswell, Darius Davie, Lamont Dunnigan, Patricia Fitzpatrick, Kareen Foster, Natalie Heredia, Taylor Hogan , Ben Levin, Sam Levin, Vicki Likitsakos, Nicky Low, Adam Metzger, Alania Mosely, Renisha Mungin, Lacie Pulido, Jonathan Rice, Kareena Rivera, Nicole Singer, Marisa Smith, Brittney Williams and Valerie Yawien. And, the two adults who perform are Kate Weiman and David Plotka.
Choreography is put together by Dani Altiere and musical/vocal direction was handled by Tammy Holder. The design team includes Zeke Leonard (sets), Shelley Norton (costumes) and Jason Livingston (lights). TADA! was created, as Trevens said in a statement, "to provide young people with the opportunity to explore theater in a supportive and professional atmosphere." In addition to their productions of new works, the company offers classes in theatre and acting for children as well as internships for high school and college students.
To make your reservations to the presentation at TADA!, 120 West 28th Street (between 6th and 7th Ave.), call (212) 627-1732. Tickets are $6 for children under 15, $15 for adults and, as Trevens boasted, "everybody gets a free cookie at the end." For more information on the show and the programs at TADA!, visit their website at www.tadatheater.com.
— by Ernio Hernandez
