California's Pasadena Playhouse presents the world premiere of a new family musical adaptation of Bernard Waber's book series Lyle, Lyle Crocodile, beginning February 15 at The Colony Theatre in Burbank. The run will continue through March 16.
The new work, based on Waber's books Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile and The House on East 88th Street, features a book by Timothy Allen McDonald (James and the Giant Peach) and Sara Wordsworth (In Transit). As for a score, the stage musical has reassembled the various songwriters who contributed songs to the franchise's 2022 movie adaptation, including EGOT winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Ari Afsar, Emily Xu Hall, Joriah Kwamé, and Mark Sonnenblick. The score will include the songs from the movie in addition to new songs newly written for the stage musical.
The cast features Trae Adair as Joseph, McKenna Michael Bisaha as Lyle, Max Gonzalez as Hector and Grumps, Cori Jaskier as Trudy and Scaly, Jetta Juriansz as Katie and Judy, and Christopher Romero Sosa as Josh. Understudies Danny Holmberg and Marisa Moenho round out the company.
Nina Meehan is directing the world premiere, being presented in partnership with The Colony Theatre. Both theatres are also working with the Pasadena Unified and Burbank Unified school districts to bring thousands of students to see the show free of charge. The production will also feature vocal arrangements and incidental music by Daniel Mertzlufft (Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical), with choreography by Max Gonzalez, music direction by Brad Gardner, scenic design by David Meyer, costume design by Court Watson, lighting design by Hilda Kane, sound design by Veronika Vorel, puppet design by Anney Fresh Ozar, scenic graphic design by Jami Phanekham, Kimberly Sanchez Garrido as stage manager, and Jasmine Leung as assistant stage manager.
The musical is the brainchild of McDonald's iTheatrics, the youth theatre company known for developing editions of Broadway musicals designed for young performers and annual youth theatre convention Junior Theater Festival.
Tickets are available at PasadenaPlayhouse.org.
