Review of Pippi Longstocking at the Children's Theatre in Mpls.

Quote of the Day: You'll never know where you'll go or who you'll be until tomorrow comes. Pippi, from the grand finale.

"Can we have Pippi over for a play date?" asked the little girls who attended the show with me. "She'd really mess up our house," they also said.

I watched the show with these two little Pippis.

They give it four thumbs up!

How delightful to watch a show like Pippi Longstocking with my friend and her four-year-old twin daughters. They were so excited to go to the show, their first at the Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis. Before the show, we spent some time taking in Art in Bloom at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and all day they kept asking, "Is it time to see Pippi? Where's Pippi? Is she there, yet?" Yes, the excitement built.

These two little monkeys acted like Pippi's pet, Mr. Nelson, climbing under and up the seats, riding them down, until the play started. Then, their eyes were glued to the stage, mouths open. I loved watching the show with them, hearing their shrieks of laughter, comments to Mom, and seeing their hands over their mouths when they were worried. One, or both of them, would stand up when the action got really exciting.

Pippi Longstocking is a high-energy, rollicking good show. Katie Adducci, who plays Pippi, is so athletic. I chatted with a woman at intermission who has seen several productions of Pippi. She thought Kate was one of the oldest girls to play Pippi (she seemed youthful to me). I said she looked like she's a good gymnast. The woman replied, "That's probably why they chose her." She's everywhere on stage. Big movements. Animated dancing. My heart rate went up from watching it!

The entire show is so well choreographed. Every movement, not just the dancing, but the scenes where they run in and out, up and down, over, under, above, doors opening and shutting. The scene with the thieves reminded me of Home Alone, and it was all a game to Pippi.

The thieves. Love the "Per Gynt" style costume.

These two were like cartoon characters.

The guy in red reminded me of the scarecrow in Wizzard of Oz, the way he could move his body. He's like a rubberband.

I think the carnival scene was my favorite.

The costumes were like traditional Scandinavian ones, the bunads, wool vests, embroidered aprons. I felt reconnected with my own Scandinavian roots. (Here's a link to my sister's blog, I'ts a Joy, with a photo of her wearing the one that she made.)

Pippi has the kind of freedom that kids dream about, especially when they're doing chores or sitting long hours in school. They want to be independent, have adventures, and never worry about bedtime...until the thunderstorms strike in the middle of the night.

Pippi is a fictional character. She's like Astrid Lindgren's imaginary friend, brought to life through her stories, and animated on stage through wonderful productions like these. And, now, she can be our imaginary friend, too.

Hey, girls, maybe when she's done with her shows, Pippi will be available for a play date. I think we'd have grand adventures with her. Until then, let's put on our longstockings and make up our own stories.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What fictional character would you like to invite over for an adventure?

Photos from the Children's Theatre Company production are by Dan Norman. Thank you for the show, the rollicking good time, and the wonderful photos.