By Jessica Kennedy.
The Argyle Theater in Babylon Village presents The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley– running from January 25th-February 23rd. Directed by Kate Keating and based on the children’s book written by Jeff Brown in 1964, this show has a sweet storyline and an enthusiastic cast ready to entertain!
The main plot of this story begins with an average boy and an average family. Stanley Lambchop has a great, normal life- yet that is just the problem. Stanley dreams of traveling the world, and doing new things that the world has never seen before. A quick song and a wish on a shooting star changes all that, and Stanley has the chance to travel around the world- all for the price of a postage stamp!
This show is an eclectic mix of the original 60’s storyline and more contemporary jokes and references. The main plot is introduced by a postal worker, and the concept of mail being one of the most efficient forms of communication helps to drive the plot forward. However, Stanley and his brother wish to be just like Luke Skywalker (1976) and Harry Potter (1997), while singing in bedroom adorned by a Toy Story’s slinky dog night light (1995). Throw in a Scooby Doo reference (1969), and you have a dizzying- sometimes disorienting- plotline, which makes the overall setting of the show feel more than a bit amorphous.
Despite the potentially unnerving anachronistic elements of the show, the cast was a delight to watch! Ryan Cavanagh’s portrayal of Flat Stanley was animated and entertaining, while Emily Edwards, Kyle Geraghty, Gina Salvia, and Alex Schecter did a wonderful job seamlessly performing a litany of roles without the characters feeling repetitive or, well- flat (sorry, I couldn’t resist). The lighting effects, designed by Alex Dollin, were a highlight in the show, and added heightened visual interest to the musical numbers. While the overall plot line may be lost on some of the youngest viewers, the vibrant songs, colorful costumes, and endless energy of a delightful cast will surely keep everyone laughing and clapping!