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Sep 2011  |  By Beth Engelman  |  Comments

Emerald City Theatre's “If You Give a Cat a Cupcake”

If you give a cat a cupcake, he’ll take you on an adventure!

That’s the theme of Emerald City Theatre’s delightful new production, “If You Give a Cat a Cupcake.” The play, based on the best-selling book by Laura Numeroff has been imaginatively adapted for the stage by writer and director Ernie Nolan. Joe Goldammer is outstanding as the ebullient cat who leads his “friend/owner, ” played by Leah Raidt, through the city. Mayhem ensues as the duo meet up with a crabby French Hermit crab, an overzealous Sensei, and Cat’s arch nemesis, Rufus the Dog.

The interactive play charms as it engages the young audience with humor, music and series of screwball action sequences. The set, designed by Shea Coffman, is simple yet effective, and stick puppets are cleverly used to convey plot points and location changes.  As a parent, there are few things I love more than listening to my son laugh out loud, which is something that happened quite a bit during the performance. If you give a cat a cupcake, you’re bound to have a great time. Just remember to bring the sprinkles.  

“If You Give a Cat a Cupcake” runs through January 7 at the Apollo Theater in Chicago. For information about tickets and show times call 773-935-6100 or visit their website.