Big lessons with Lilly (StageOne)

Mar 25

3 min read

Lilly and the Pirates

Book, Music and Lyrics by John Maclay, Brett Ryback, and Will Eno

Based on the book by Phillis Root

Directed by Allison Sims A Review by Beth Beck

Get ready to set sail on a fun-filled adventure alongside Lilly and the Pirates! This musical is sure to capture your heart as you explore the world of piracy, friendship, and inner turmoil with Lilly on her way to Shipwreck Island.

Lilly is a “10-year old worrywart” who we all can sympathize with. She keeps a “worry-book” with her wherever she goes until, one day, her worries surpass the comforting pages her pen can reach. Gathering the help of pirates, librarians, and a talking bird along the way, she goes out on a quest to check on her parents on Shipwreck Island. Throughout her journey, she learns various coping mechanisms for dealing with the world at large. Her biggest problem is her innate fear of one thing: water. To get to Shipwreck Island, Lilly must acquire the assistance of newfound friends to overcome her fears.

The “frangipani fruit fly” - while never seen - is the apple of her traveling scientist parents’ eyes. They embark early on in this tale to go on a “snipe hunt” of sorts to document and learn about this rare critter. In the meantime, Lilly is left at home under the care of her timid librarian great-uncle. The actor portraying this character does a remarkable job of conveying passion for his work and kindness towards Lilly.

I was able to see the sensory-friendly version of the play with my friend Oliver. He told me that he liked that the characters were so animated. Another note to mention about this particular performance is the amount of love that went into the sensory preservation aspect of it. At the beginning it was announced that anyone at any time could get up, move around, go to the studio's “quiet space” at the back, and generally feel free to be themselves.

Oliver and I waited until the end to move around the space but many others took up that initial offer. This made the experience more fulfilling and lighthearted for all. One commendable addendum would be the subtle nuances tenderly placed by the entire cast and crew. It seemed that every time someone had an overt reaction to a particular scenario, the lighting, sound effects, or acting on stage would shift ever so slightly in accommodation. Stage One and the Kentucky Performing Arts Center worked hand in hand to make sure that everyone in the audience had a wonderful time.

Overall this show is relatable to parents and children alike. It subtly teaches you how to handle self-preservation and bravery with a fine balance of intellect and curiosity. “We have strength in numbers to get us through the day” is a suitable mantra for this play as well. This show is a MUST-SEE if you have kids who want to experience theatre at its finest! Not only do you get to go on a journey with Lilly, you get to learn about how to handle various life scenarios we all experience at one time or another with her.

Overall rating? 10 out of 10. Keep in mind that Stage One has acting courses throughout Spring and Summer you can find on their webpage if your little(s) enjoy the performance more than you imagined they would. The singing, acting, special effects, prop work, and general comradery make you feel like you’re part of the show. So come join Lilly on her pirate adventure and see how her tale will end! OR… begin?

And be sure to say hello to the cast after the show for a photo opportunity!

Lilly and the Pirates StageOne Family Theater

Bomhard Theatre

March 15th - March 29th

Kentucky Performing Arts

501 West Main Street

Louisville, Kentucky 40202 stageone.org