“Chicka chicka increase increase! Will there be sufficient room?” This playful query has sparked curiosity and enjoyment of generations of kids, inviting younger readers to comply with the alphabet on a rousing journey up a coconut tree. With its catchy rhythm and colourful graphics, Chicka Chicka Growth Growth has change into a cherished household traditional that turns studying the alphabet into an entertaining celebration. Many years after its publication, the story continues to captivate audiences with its contagious vitality and easy, timeless attraction.
Now the beloved 1989 kids’s ebook (written by Invoice Martin Jr. and John Archambault, with illustrations by Lois Ehlert) is coming to life onstage in a nationwide touring theatrical adaptation, Chicka Chicka Growth Growth: The Musical. Initially developed and produced by the Seattle Youngsters’s Theatre, the place the musical premiered in 2025, this manufacturing can presently be seen at Creativeness Stage. Written and directed by Nina Meehan (with music and lyrics by Austin Zumbro), the musical contains a bubbly rating, dazzling visuals, and rhythmic dancing. Creativeness Stage is one in all simply six theaters nationwide to host the tour — what an unbelievable honor!
From the second the present begins, it’s clear that Chicka Chicka Growth Growth interprets surprisingly effectively as a musical. Zumbro’s unforgettable rating is splendidly carried out by a proficient five-member ensemble, and Mark Rabe’s knowledgeable musical course shines by way of within the solid’s performances. Drew Bates (Participant 1), Grace Lord (Participant 2), Delvin James (Participant 3), Kelly Lomonte (Participant 4 on the reviewed efficiency), and Nalica Hennings (Participant 5) every excelled each as soloists and as a refrain. This versatile group impressively navigated an enormous array of musical kinds, starting from upbeat pop to mellow madrigals. Along with their musical skills, the solid additionally engaged the room with exuberance and enthusiasm. They delivered their traces with jolly character voices and led studying workouts with confidence.
The stage adaptation additionally succeeds in increasing the story’s comparatively easy premise with out shedding its childlike attraction. Somewhat than merely recreating the ebook, the play brings the characters collectively as they work together, study, and overcome challenges. The result’s a manufacturing that feels accessible to younger kids whereas providing sufficient selection to attraction to accompanying adults. Viewers participation additional enhances the play, remodeling spectators into lively contributors within the journey. These interactive moments by no means interrupt the storytelling however slightly complement it and reinforce the present’s emphasis on studying by way of play.
Jeffrey Cook dinner’s vivid units remained devoted to Lois Ehlert’s legendary illustrations whereas additionally injecting originality and creativeness. His creations fantastically complemented Gwendolyn Cubbage’s lighting design, which solid an incandescent glow throughout glittering curtains and set items. The colourful costumes, designed by Danielle Nieves, outfitted the solid in neon patterns that completely matched the cheerful tone of the present. A number of of her designs creatively included letters into the patterns, ingeniously furthering the alphabet motif. Kelly Lomonte’s choreography was well-timed to the music, specializing in easy actions that enhanced every music whereas by no means upstaging the story.
Chicka Chicka Growth Growth: The Musical at Creativeness Stage is a novel alternative to expertise the pleasant alphabet story in stay motion, bringing the whimsical story’s technicolor world, infectious beat, and charming characters off the web page and onto the stage. With its spirited music, animated performances, eye-popping visuals, and loads of alternatives for younger viewers members to affix within the enjoyable, the manufacturing captures the spirit of the unique ebook whereas giving it a recent theatrical life. Whether or not viewers members are longtime followers of the traditional or are encountering the story for the primary time, there’s loads of room for everybody to climb aboard this joyful journey up the coconut tree!
Operating Time: 60 minutes with no intermission.
Chicka Chicka Growth Growth: The Musical performs Saturday and Sunday matinees by way of October 18, 2026, at Creativeness Stage, 4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD. Tickets (beginning at $16) will be bought on-line, in particular person on the Creativeness Stage field workplace, or by calling 301-280-1660.
Greatest for ages 3 to 9.
Chicka Chicka Growth Growth: The Musical
Written and directed by Nina Meehan
Music/lyrics by Austin Zumbro
Produced by Third Want Productions
Initially Developed & Produced by Seattle Youngsters’s Theatre
