THE TODDLERS IN YOUR LIFE WILL RELATE TO DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! THE MUSICAL!
When a children’s theater production employs two exclamation points in the title, you know you’re in for high-energy antics. Such is the case with Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! at Marriott Theatre.
The titular Pigeon, star of Mo Willems’ popular series of picture books, takes the stage in the form of an expressively big-eyed puppet wielded with infectious zest by the buoyant Matty Bettencourt, who deploys a lovely singing voice to boot on plaintive numbers such as “Let Me Drive The Bus!” and, of course, “I Never Get To Do Anything.”
Brisky directed by Lorenzo Rush Jr. and amusingly choreographed by Matthew Weidenbener, the hourlong show follows Pigeon as the bird gets excited to see a city bus for the first time, marveling at the roar of the engine and the gleam of the hubcaps. But when Pigeon asks to drive the bus, the assembled adults have only one answer: No!
Pigeon is a delightful stand-in for the many toddlers in the audience. They understand what it is to see something as awesome and wonderful as a brand-new bus. They relate to the burning desire to do things they are told they are too small to do. And they for sure recognize a good tantrum when they see one. Pigeon gets their plight in a way that parents never can. Which is why so many tots showed up to the opening Saturday morning with Pigeon stuffies in tow.
There are plenty of public-transit jokes for parents to enjoy. The cast–which includes bold and brassy bus driver Lydia Burke and, as the unreliable bus engine, Leah Morrow (star of the current Marriott production of Beehive)–delivers a wholesome, heartfelt good time for all.
While driving the bus turns out not to be an attainable goal, alas, Pigeon soon learns there are other ways for squawky little birds to embark on thrilling adventures. Until the next shiny thing catches their eye.
