The Box’s ‘Pinkalicious’ a delicious treat for all ages
Dr.. Wink (Eloise Slipper) provides a diagnosis of Pinkalicious (Allison Chicorel) to her brother Peter (Danny Polaski), mother Carly Burzynski and father (Ernest Bell) in a scene from The Box Theatre Company’s “Pinkalicious.”
By MARILYN JOZWIK
Published Nov. 16, 2019
I’m always a little disappointed when I see that Allison Chicorel is directing a show at The Box Theatre, where she is the managing artistic director and general manager.
It’s not that she’s not a good director – her kids’ shows are full of fun and energy. But it means she will probably not be performing in the show.
In “Pinkalicious,” Chicorel takes on the lead role of the character by the same name, who so loves everything pink, especially pink cupcakes. The show runs a fast 75 minutes, with a 10-minute intermission, and is totally entertaining for even very young audience members. That’s because Chicorel – and the entire cast of four adults and six youngsters -- knows how to engage an audience. This simple story about a little girl learning that what she really wants isn’t all it’s cracked up to be has elements all ages can enjoy.
Pinkalicious, ignoring her parents’ admonition of “You get what you get and you don’t get upset,” finds her excessive consumption of pink cupcakes has turned her totally pink, landing her at the doctor’s office, where she is diagnosed with “pinkititus.” It actually does sound like a real ailment. Her parents (Carly Burzynski and Ernest Bell) are told to feed her a steady diet of greens to combat the ailment. In the meantime, their other child, son Peter (Danny Polaski), is ignored while they deal with their daughter’s weird disease.
Pinkalicious is delighted to find she has turned her favorite color, saying, “I’m just pink and I love it,” but she soon finds it has its downsides (“A little pink can go a long way”).
Pinkalicious (Allison Chicorel) refuses to eat her greens despite the urging of her parents (Carly Burzynski and Ernest Bell while her brother Peter (Danny Poaski is ignored.
This charming musical, which is from the book by Elizabeth Kann and Victoria Kann (who also produced lyrics along with John Gregor, who did the music), is directed by Lindsay Willicombe. It includes some sweet music– although the recorded music occasionally overpowered the vocals – and a fine acting corps, headed by Chicorel.
Her defiant “no’s,” as she’s offered greens by her parents, are so spot on. Plus, she does a wonderful job engaging the young audience when she’s looking for her favorite pink cupcakes and finds them on the top of the refrigerator – with the help of the youngsters in the audience, who prompt her on where they are and how to get to them. Just a charming scene that fits in organically with Chicorel’s stage ease.
As her brother, Polaski is the perfect foil to his eccentric sister and, like Chicorel, plays a youngster very well. Polaski’s Peter, we soon learn, is more like his sister than his family ever realized. Bell, who plays their dad, brings the family together for a sweet ending, displaying an absolutely gorgeous, silky voice.
Bell and Burzynski are a fine pairing for the parents, accentuating the many comic moments in the show.
Eloise Slipper, as the doctor and Pinkalicious’s best friend Allison, does well in both roles. In the “Pinkititus” tune, Slipper works well with Bell and Burzynski, singing the doctor’s diagnosis to the girl’s concerned parents with confidence and flair.
The quintet of darling, young ensemble members (Molly Flint, Charlotte Nuckels, Katelynn Radmacher, Lydia Wilhelm and Rachel Zamborini) execute Ami Majeskie’s choreography nicely in the two “Cupcake Dream” scenes, as well as the “Buzz Off” scene, in which Pinkalicious realizes that her pinkness has attracted all sorts of annoying flying insects who think she is a flower. The group could have used a little more volume on the ensemble numbers.
The cherry on the pink cupcakes (which, along with other treats, are available in The Box lobby) is another of Terri Field’s outstanding sets. JW Anderson did the canvas painting. Field’s clever wall art – this time depicting the family’s kitchen, plus a colorful playground scene – has enhanced a number of recent, area productions and always gives performers, and audience members, a colorful land of make believe to enjoy.
If you go
Who: The Box Theatre Co.
What: “Pinkalicious, The Musical”
When: Through Nov. 24
Where: W359 N5920 Brown St., Unit 101, Oconomowoc
Info/Tickets: boxtheatreco.org; 262-560-0564.