Snake (Vaughn Irving), Tiger (Tracey Stephens), and Bear (Doug Wilder).
Photo provided by Imagination Stage.
What do you get a girl of nine who has everything she has ever wanted? Well, you get her what she wants, unless, of course, what she wants is a brontosaurus. Imagination Stage opens their 2013-2014 Season with Lulu and the Brontosaurus, an engaging story about a very spoiled girl who, through a soft-spoken giant, finds the joys of the unselfish life.
Directed by Janet Stanford, Lulu and the Brontosaurus commences in Lulu’s family room. Lauren Du Pree takes the stage as the narrator, explaining to the audience that Lulu’s birthday is coming up. Her parents fear the explosive temper tantrums Lulu throws when she doesn’t get what she wants, so they give her everything.
‘Lulu and the Brontosaurus’ teaches some important life lessons but does so in an enjoyable way – through catchy songs, marvelous design and very talented actors.
When Lulu asks for a Brontosaurus, her parents are forced to say, “No.” With that, Lulu throws the biggest and the longest fit ever. Four days later, her parents are worn out and slumped in their chairs, so Lulu decides to go into the woods to get the dinosaur herself, with a suitcase in hand and a song on her lips: “I Wanna, I Wanna, I Wanna, Wanna, Wanna a Brontosaurus for a Pet….”
Lulu (Casie Platt) and Mr. B (Vaughn Irving; designed by Matthew Pauli).
Photo provided by Imagination Stage.
Lulu’s quest throws her in the path of some interesting characters making their home in the woods. Her first encounter is with the-self proclaimed head of “forest security,” a hissing snake (Vaughn Irving). Lulu is unafraid and unimpressed and thwarts the snake’s attempts to stop her from going deeper into the woods. Still singing her song, she meets two more animals: a narcissistic tiger (Tracey Stephens) and bumbling bear (Doug Wilder). Again, only concerned with getting what she wants when she wants it, she rudely pushes her way past their attempts to stop her and continues on.
When Lulu finally meets a Brontosaurus named Mr. B. (Vaughn Irving), she demands that he put a collar on and follow her home that instant. This proves easier said than done when the dinosaur, the size of a large four-story house, says, “No.” Lulu has no choice but to listen to what he has to say. It turns out, he likes her idea of having a pet and decides to make her his!
Mr. B is a wonderfully made puppet (designed by Matthew Pauli) controlled and voiced by Irving and really is the size of a four-story house! Irving does such a good job of seamlessly bringing the dinosaur to life that my nine-year-old daughter and I soon forgot Irving was there at all. Stephens as Tiger is a joy to watch as she combines the characteristics of vanity and a wild cat together. Wilder’s bear is fun to watch, just so adorable and huggable.
Narrator (Lauren Du Pree).
Photo provided by Imagination Stage.
Lulu and the Brontosaurus teaches some important life lessons but does so in an enjoyable way – through catchy songs, marvelous design and very talented actors.
Running Time: Approximately, one hour with no intermission.
Lulu and the Brontosaurus is running through October 27, 2013 at Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. For tickets call the Box Office at 301-280-1660 or click here.
