A Multitude of Mayhem 

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

A little Boy decides that he’d rather stay at home and read his new comic book, while his Mom spends the afternoon visiting his Aunt Polly. Just as he begins enjoying his Jungle Man magazine, the generous, kind and polite young man receives a surprise visit from a rascally rodent who has more requests than the Boy could ever imagine. After the courteous kid offers the hungry Mouse a delicious chocolate chip-and-oatmeal cookie, the rodent politely asks for a glass of milk. But since he’s so tiny and the glass is so tall, the Mouse hints that a straw would be useful. And so begins an afternoon of requests that result in a multitude of mayhem and messes for the little Boy to clean up, before Mom gets home.

Recommended for children, ages 4-8, and their adults, talented and detail attentive Artistic Director Randy White presents this delightful adaptation of Laura Joffe Numeroff’s popular picture book. The 65-minute play, adapted by Jody Davidson, stays faithful to the book. A simple act of kindness suddenly spirals into a never-ending chain of events. But by the end of the story, everything works out happily…or does it?

Randy White’s trio of funny and flexible young actors is simply sensational. Diego Rivera-Rodriguez makes his Young People’s Theatre of Chicago debut as the Boy. Remembered for his performances at Theater Wit in BECKY NURSE OF SALEM, and at Invictus Theatre in THE WINTER’S TALE, Diego brings special care and kindness to his portrayal of the empathetic young man. Also making his YPT debut, elfin Matias Kruse is perfectly cast as the tiny Mouse. Mr. Kruse may be one of the most athletic and agile young actors you’ve ever seen on this stage. He effortlessly leaps onto the kitchen counter and to the top of the fridge, swings from a chandelier and tumbles and bumbles around scenic designer, Shane Cinal’s, beautifully appointed kitchen. In addition, James Hisanaga makes a special appearance as Mom, as well as the mirror image of the Mouse that mime Marcel Marceau would’ve admired. 

A special round of applause goes to talented Amy Gilman for her myriad of magically creative and beautifully designed oversized props. She’s created a colossal cookie, a gigantic glass of milk with a sizable straw, a big broom, a massive mop, and all sorts of larger-than-life equipment from the story. And Ellen MacKay’s whimsical costume design transforms both Matias Kruse and James Hisanaga into a believable little rodent.

Young People’s Theatre of Chicago kicks off their impressive 5th Anniversary Season with a bang and a baked good. Randy White’s production of  IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE is a winning story about polite behavior, loaded with slapstick and physical humor. The presentation brings to mind the most talented comic teams of the past, such as Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello and The Three Stooges. Aimed at the youngest theatergoers and their adults, the requests of a rascally rodent is an ideal first play for young children, from preschool through third grade. Don’t miss this delightful hour filled with a multitude of mayhem, because there’s a mischievous mouse awaiting his cookie.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented September 26-October 25 by Young People’s Theatre of Chicago at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available at the Greenhouse box office, by calling 773-404-7336 or by going to boxoffice@greenhousetheater.org or yptchi.org. 

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com