Beatrice Likes the Darkish, written by Dani Stoller and directed by Patrick Flynn, shares how the titular character (Irene Hamilton) and her sister Roo (Cheslea Majors) be taught to understand one another’s variations and uncover that darkness might be stunning slightly than horrifying. Based mostly on April Genevieve Tucholke‘s ebook, the journey is narrated by Buttons (Jordan Brown) and Raven (Hannah Taylor), their family pets and on-stage companions.
Every of those core solid members is splendidly heat and brings a softness that attracts audiences younger and previous into the present. Tobi Baisburd and Jordan Essex spherical out the solid as Lady 2 and Man 2, with Baisburd providing a little bit of comedian reduction as she helps solid the spells that energy this story.
Flynn’s path takes the viewers on an ethereal journey by means of the darkish, delightfully lit by Lynn Joslin, with glowing lights all through. These lighting decisions are a defining attribute of this present (significantly as Beatrice’s little sister Roo enjoys the intense sunny days), and are complemented by mystical sounds (by DC-area sound design veteran Kenny Neal), together with Debussy and Beethoven, to create notes of suspense and backbone. It’s an atmosphere introduced collectively by what occurs on stage, together with a particular potion — candy photographs of cookies, the moon, and extra (as projected on display screen by Hailey LaRoe) — which permits the sisters to beat their fears and be taught from one another.
The story is powered by an array of mystical props; Journey’s resident props designer, Andrea “Dre” Moore, featured greater than 50 props, together with an illuminated spell ebook whose pages fly open, and a spell cart with a vivid neon potion that casts an incandescent glow on Journey’s stage.
Whereas a kids’s play, Stoller’s adaptation strikes a steadiness in its enchantment; moments are written for the youngest of youngsters to grasp, with language akin to Goodnight Moon. There are references to being a pescatarian, manchego cheese, and mahjong for the dad and mom amongst us, which appear a bit misplaced. Maybe the strongest writing is a monologue Stoller provides Beatrice, halfway by means of, the place she speaks of how “persons are afraid of the darkish, as a result of they haven’t allowed themselves to expertise it.” All advised, Stoller’s adaptation of this beloved story works effectively.
The present is, like the perfect of exhibits at Journey, a candy afternoon at one of many area’s greatest levels for teenagers. My heady 9-year-old, a frequent theatergoer, actually understood the play; she mentioned the story was about “sisters regarding their variations.” But she felt the present general was neither superb nor horrible, however “within the center”; she wished the scene transitions have been a bit extra hidden. My solely want, maybe, is that if Beatrice ever will get a second manufacturing, Stoller considers find out how to incorporate a bit extra viewers engagement, a staple of many kids’s productions.
However I think that for the kindergarteners amongst us, Beatrice Likes the Darkish might be a wonderfully magical expertise.
Operating Time: 45 minutes, with no intermission.
Beatrice Likes the Darkish performs weekend and weekday matinees by means of November 1, 2026, at Journey Theatre MTC, Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Boulevard, Glen Echo, MD. Tickets ($27 every, with group, subject journey, and particular social gathering charges accessible) might be bought on-line or by calling the field workplace at 301-634-2270.
Beneficial for ages 5 and up.
Beatrice Likes the Darkish
Written by Dani Stoller
Based mostly on the ebook by April Genevieve Tucholke
Directed by Patrick Flynn
SEE ALSO:
Dani Stoller wrote ‘Beatrice Likes the Darkish’ for ‘the little weirdos’ (interview by Julia Tucker, October 1, 2026)
