An upside-down house, adults acting like troublesome kids, and a radishy cure for a child who doesn’t want to take a bath are just a few of the things you’ll experience when you see Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, the Phoenix Theatre for Children’s new production. Sound a little bit strange? Well, yes, it is, but it’s just part of the show’s humor and charm.
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle tells the story of an odd lady who lives in an upside-down house and whom the town children simply adore. But she’s not just a friendly neighborhood face—she’s also the one who can solve any behavior problem. The show details a handful of these problems, including twins who bicker ceaselessly, a girl who refuses to bathe, and a girl who always talks back, among others. Mrs. Piggle Wiggle’s solutions are always unconventional, but they always work. The entire play is humorous and, if audience reaction is any indicator, a show that the entire family can enjoy.
The set, designed by Stephanie Gerckens, is brightly colored and visually stimulating. Everything about it is just as lopsided as the play’s main character. The costumes, which were designed by Ruth Boyd, are basic and functional for the four ensemble actors to switch roles quickly and effectively. The costume for Mrs. Piggle Wiggle is more exciting, because she doesn’t have to worry about switching roles, and reminded me of a homey grandmother.
As Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, Jacqueline S. Bates is simply divine. She connects with her audience easily and brings a charisma to the stage that is perfect for a role such as this, which is bizarre but endearing. The other four cast members share the remainder of the roles. These phenomenal actors—Michelle G. Schroeder, Ian Short, Christopher Storer, and Liz Wheeler—make the character swaps look easy. Even with the constant juggling, it is quite simple to follow who is playing what character. All four of these actors successfully played both adult and child characters, bringing interesting quirks to each one. I also have to give a huge thumbs-up to the male actors, who frequently played female parts.
The Phoenix Theatre for Children’s Mrs. Piggle Wiggle is funny, endearing, and can teach children the extremes of bad or just plain obnoxious behavior. It’s definitely a show for the whole family—I went with my eighteen-year-old sister, and the two of us enjoyed ourselves just as much as the youngest children in the audience. This show will not disappoint.
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle will be running through March 14, with shows on Fridays at 7:30 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays at both 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm. It is presented in Studio One of the Riffe Center (77 S. High Street). Tickets are available for purchase at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State Street), Ticketmaster outlets, online at ticketmaster.com, and by phone at 614-469-0939 or 800-745-3000. The Riffe Center Ticket Office will be open two hours before each performance.
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