The award-winning books by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann, including the namesake title, Pinkalicious, based on author Victoria's two daughters and their love of the color, inspired this successful theatrical play produced by Vital Theatre Company in New York City. On the creators' website, Victoria Kann explains that she wrote the story as "an April Fools' joke" about her daughter's love of pink cupcakes. Pinkalicious, she states, " is a very normal girl who has magical wonderful things happen to her." It's an interesting use of "normal," but the magic is real in the production.
Everything Comes up Roses for Vital Theatre Company
Vital has a good thing going in Pinkalicious: The Musical, now in the third year of its run.The Kanns' play incorporates creative new music and lyrics by John Gregor and is ably directed by Teresa K. Pond. Dax Valdes' Choreography is refreshingly complex while remaining gentle on the sensibilities of the younger set.
The producers have double-cast the show, and the performance I attended featured, as Pinkalicious, the bubbly Christina Rose Rahn. Amber Dickerson alternates as Pinkalicious, and other characters include brother Peter (Peej Mele; Jake Mendes); Mrs. Pinkerton or Mom (Joanna Hernandez; Melanie Dusel); Mr. Pinkerton (Ryan Speakman; Ryan Dean Albers); and, playing three very different roles--Dr. Wink, best friend Alison, and the Fairy who brings the magic, Kyla Schoer (Rori Nogee).
The Trouble with Pink
Every family has its own secrets and experiences its unique journey in learning to deal with them. The Pinkerton family is ready to confront its own rosy destiny thanks to the excesses of Pinkalicious, who finds it difficult to consume just one pink cupcake. While the parents preach the lesson of moderation, they do not practice it themselves, absorbed as they are in cleaning and work. "You get what you get, and you don't get upset," is Mom's musical refrain to keep a lid on everyone's emotions. The Pinkertons hold themselves together with a lot of rules, some of which need to be broken.
Spoiler Alert: Pink is Beautiful!
Only Pinkalicious' brother, Peter, seems to be able to restrain his behavior--he always takes "no" for an answer, but he seems less than happy with his lot in life until the secret comes out and he can reconcile his relationship with the color pink. Peej Mele offered a very nuanced performance of Peter's "The Pink Blues" song, during which he revealed his unfortunate love of pink.
Spoiler alert--it's human, not feminine to love the color, and anyway it's a family trait on Mr. Pinkerton's side of the family. A rousing va-va-voom number by Dr. Wink leads to a diagnosis of "pinkatitis" for "Pinkalicious" plus a revelation from Mr. Pinkerton that leads to positive developments for the family.
A Remedy for Pinkatitis
The cure is not as simple as substituting green (as in vegetables) for pink frosting--instead it is found in acceptance and a more realistic approach to moderation. That the medical visit uses some fairly complex vocabulary a bit late in the hour for the youngest members of the audience can be forgiven since it gives their parents something to think about. Not coincidentally, Elizabeth Kann happens to be a physician, which may explain the careful attention to the mythical illness.
Full Spectrum Production Values
The scenery includes clouds and flowers painted on drapes, which hang from pipes, plus a few pieces that turn to become various locations including the Pinkerton's kitchen, Pinkalicious' bedroom, Dr. Wink's office, and a bicycle path. Designer Adam Koch drew inspiration from cartoons in both color scheme and scale of the furniture. Cherie Cunningham and Michael Schloegl worked with a varied palette of colors in their costume designs, including many hues of pink for the lead. These designs, often enhanced by spangles, evoke conventional associations for colors even as the plot argues against stereotypes. The set and costumes have a greater function as part of the drama rather than mere decor in this production.
Who's in the Audience?
Judging from the audience reaction, the play ]appeals best to the 4-7 year old set. The audience typically consists mostly of girls--though a few supportive male siblings attended--and their parents. Younger children with longer attention spans will also enjoy the hour-long colorful and sparkly entertainment. A hallmark of Vital Theatre' fifty children's productions has always been to include some humor aimed at parents, and Pinkalicious addresses parents in a number of ways by confronting issues of gender, quality time, and love. Pink is not just for girls.
Join the Conversation