Do you have a Pinkalicious Pinkerton fan in your family? If so, you won’t want to miss Pinkalicious, a thoroughly enchanting experience!
Stepping into the diminutive theater is like stepping into a larger-than-life version of the book itself. The musical is based on the first book of the popular 
series: Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann. Giant, glittery flowers in huge cupcake liners welcome guests. The entire set, with doilies and polka dots on the floor, clouds on the walls, and sparkly chandeliers overhead, evokes plenty of fluffy, frothy fun.
Our review team (mom and daughters, ages 7 and 12) settled in on the top center row, and even at the top, we felt close up. The 7-year-old, who has read and re-read every Pinkalicious book out there, literally bounced with excitement. The audience received a brief warm welcome and it was time for the show…
Five brilliant cast members bring the Pinkerton family, best friend Alison and Dr. Wink (the same actress plays both parts) to life. If you haven’t already, definitely read the first book before you go, to enhance the experience. The one-hour show features more than a dozen fantastic song and dance routines – there are even singing cupcakes! The clever lyrics are sure to give grown-ups a chuckle.
The whole production has a charming vintage feel, just like the book. It’s a feel-good show with a feel-good message: too much of a good thing can in fact be too much of a good thing. And those green, good-for-you foods – like the green apple that appears at the end – they can be great!
Pinkalicious is a strong, joyful and exuberant character. No doubt she knows what she likes! Parents in particular will relate to the characters of Mr. and Mrs. Pinkerton, who are busy, busy, busy.
They have bills to pay and work to do, and of course, when their daughter doesn’t listen to their “no-more-pink-cupcakes” warnings and ends up pink, well, “what will the neighbors think?!”
Like the book, little brother Peter is at once annoying and endearing, his big sister’s friend and foe. His part is great fun to watch. The musical’s storyline includes an additional theme not found in the original book: Mr. Pinkerton does not like the fact that his son likes pink.
This drives Peter to plop down and sing “The Pink Blues.” The audience later finds out why Dad is against Peter’s pink affection, and it’s not mean like we first thought.
Besides the impressive show, additional offerings make the experience even more pinkatastic: there is a dress-up station located in the lobby, and just outside are cute concessions available after every show. We enjoyed a pink cupcake and pink cotton candy, but pink lemonade and pink carousel cookies are also offered. The themed concessions are $3 to $4 each and got two thumbs up from our review team. The lobby also offers stroller parking, two restrooms (the left one has a changing table) and a water fountain.
Bottom line: Pinkalicious is a sweet summer confection not to be missed!
Good to Know
- Pinkalicious runs June 20 to August 31, 2014, and is recommended for all ages.
- Tickets are $19 for ages 1 and up and may be purchased online. Group rates are available.
- An American Sign Language interpreted performance will be offered Saturday, July 5, at 2 p.m., and a sensory-friendly performance will be held Saturday, August 23, at 2 p.m.
- Parking is free, but is not adjacent to the theater. Allow about 10 to 15 minutes to walk through the park to the theater, which is located near the back of Glen Echo Park.
- A renovated playground and historic carousel add to the excitement of a trip to Glen Echo Park.
- Coming next: Stuart Little, based on the book by E.B. White, September 19 to Octoctober 26, 2014.
Photo #1: Carolyn Agan as Pinkalicious.
Photo #2: Ashleigh King (Mrs. Pinkerton), Jaysen Wright (Mr. Pinkerton) and Carolyn Agan (Pinkalicious).
Photos by Bruce Douglas.
