(L to R) James B. Mernin, Chelsea Majors, Julia Link, Lily Burka, Dylan Toms, Kaylen Morgan, and Julia Klavans. Photo by Photos by Cameron Whitman Photography.
Being seven is hard enough without being covered in…GASP…freckles! Well, meet Strawberry, a young girl who loves riding her bike but hates her freckles—the very freckles her classmates use to mockingly call her a giraffe or worse…“Freckleface.” Based on Julianne Moore’s New York Times-bestselling children’s book, “Freckleface Strawberry: The Musical” shares how special it is to be imperfectly perfect.
…adorable…the stellar cast presents a perfect symphony of comedic chops, stellar vocals, and genuine heart.
While maybe not intentional, “Freckleface Strawberry” presents a series of tableaus that chronicle elementary school life and the desire to both blend in with the pack and stand out from the crowd. With a theatrical book by Garry Kupper and Rose Caiola, we cannot follow Strawberry’s adventures as clearly as we might in other musicals. While Kupper’s songs are catchy and smartly written to enhance the book, they do not always sound as though they belong to the same musical (for example, the jazz-inspired Freckle Gangster number and the Teacher rap differ heavily and contrast even more with the Ballet Girl’s soliloquy).
All this to say, the show is adorable. The vibrant costumes, designed by Paris Francesca, expertly convey the hodgepodge of elementary school personas. Megan Holden’s set allows cast members to play and continue leaning into the bright world created by director Shanara Gabrielle. Jennifer Hopkins’ bouncy choreography easily adapts to the many song stylings in the show. Adventure Theatre MTC continually hits it out of the park in terms of maximizing and transforming its Glen Echo space.
Another strength of Adventure Theatre is its casting, always featuring some of the best the DMV has to offer. “Freckleface Strawberry” is no exception. Fresh off the boat from Anatevka in Signature Theatre’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof” is Strawberry herself, a dazzling Lily Burka. Burka effortlessly embodies the childlike wonder and awkwardness needed to sympathize and identify with Strawberry, with excellent vocals to boot. A highlight of the show includes Burka’s tight harmonies (kudos to music director Elisa Rosman) and her heartfelt conversations with Strawberry’s mother, played by Julia Link, a powerhouse in her own right. Link has one of the most diverse tracks as Mother, the aforementioned rapping Teacher, Lady Gaga, and a student. She dazzles in all of them, giving off major Kerry-Butler-as-Mom-and-Ms.-Norbury-in-“Mean-Girls-the-Musical” vibes.
Rounding out the talented ensemble are Chelsea Majors as Emily, James Mernin as the crowd-pleasing Don Fontaine, Kaylen Morgan as Danny, Dylan Toms as the commanding Jake, and Julia Klavans as Ballet Girl who showcases exceptional range following her turn as Mina in “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” at Constellation. Each cast member expertly imbues their highly individual, child-like personalities and finds their moment to shine.
While the book needs a bit of fine-tuning, the stellar cast at Adventure Theatre MTC presents a perfect symphony of comedic chops, stellar vocals, and genuine heart.
Running Time: One hour with no intermission.
“Freckleface Strawberry: The Musical” runs through March 29, 2026 (Wednesday to Sunday at 11 am, Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm), at Adventure Theatre MTC, 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD 20812. For more information and to purchase tickets ($28, with group and field trip rates available), call the Box Office at 301.634.2270 or go online.
