Theatre Three Stages 'Elephant and Piggie's We Are in a Play'

Theatre Three in Port Jefferson opened its production of Mo Willems' musical, Elephant and Piggie's We Are in a Play , adapted from his popular children's book series. The show, running through October 24, features Gerald the elephant and Piggie the pig navigating various adventures, including ice cream mishaps and broken toys, ultimately strengthening their friendship.

Willems' Vision Takes the Stage

Mo Willems, a renowned writer, animator, and children's author, adapted six of his Elephant and Piggie books for this stage production. These include titles such as I Am Invited to a Party and We Are in a Book . Willems penned the script and lyrics, collaborating with composer Deborah Wicks LaPuma to create the one-hour musical.

Performers Embody Beloved Characters

Ryan Van Nostrand portrays Gerald, embodying the elephant's exuberance and finding humor in his challenges. Haley Saunders stars as Piggie, matching Van Nostrand's energy in a dazzling pink costume designed by Jason Allyn. Both performers showcase strong vocal and dance abilities, maintaining an engaging connection between the characters throughout the production. Their final duet, “We'll Be Friends,” highlights the show's central theme of enduring friendship.

Creative Team Delivers Dynamic Production

The Squirrelles, a trio of singer-dancers comprising Angie Barrientos, Louisa Bikowski, and Kiernan Urso, support the main characters. Noah Ryan also appears as a fourth Squirrelle, managing action and playing additional roles like a mail dog and a penguin. Colleen Britt directs the production, utilizing Randall Parson's multi-level Cabaret set to create a dynamic play-within-a-play experience. Kiernan Urso's choreography and Jeffrey Hoffman's musical direction, supported by Douglas Quattrock and Don Larsen, contribute to the show's lively presentation. Steven Uihlein's lighting design enhances the scenes and musical numbers.

Accessible Family Entertainment and Future Plans

The musical offers a family-friendly outing, with all seats priced at $20. Theatre Three also provides opportunities for audience members to meet the cast after the show and purchase souvenirs. Following Elephant and Piggie's We Are in a Play , the theater plans to present Barnaby Saves Christmas from November 21 to December 27, and Total Eclipse: The Princess Squad from January 22 to February 20.