GOODNIGHT MOON Review at the ZACH Theatre (Local Austin, Texas)
ZACH’s Moody Families and School Theatre Series spring production of Goodnight Moon is here. Adapted from the book by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd, featuring book, music and lyrics by Chad Henry, Goodnight Moon plays on stage in ZACH’s Kleberg Stage, March 2 – May 27, 2018 with direction and choreography by Associate Artistic Director Abe Reybold.
Step into the Great Green Room as one of the most iconic children’s books of all time is brought to life. In this lively musical, Bunny’s room magically comes alive with stunning puppetry, tap dancing bears, and even a trip through the night sky with a constellation light show.
Abe Reybold explains his excitement on bringing Goodnight Moon to audiences, “I am excited to direct and choreograph Goodnight Moon because with theatre for young people and families, the work is still exacting but there is a heightened sense of purpose, joy, and theatricality that fuels my creativity and my love for musical theatre storytelling.”
The cast includes NICHOLAS KIER as Bunny; LIA DENAH TREVIŇO as Mouse/Ensemble; PAUL SANCHEZ as Larry/Ensemble; JESSICA O’BRIEN as Old Lady/Ensemble; DAVID PEŇA as Male Understudy; EMILY VILLARREAL as Female Understudy; and ALLEN ROBERTSON as Musician/Ensemble. Ensemble characters include the Cat & The Fiddle, The Dish with the Spoon, Bears with Chairs, Kittens, Dogs, Tooth Fairies, Clarabelle the Cow, and all your favorites from the classic story.
Directed and Choreographed by ABE REYBOLD, the production team also includes ALLEN ROBERTSON as Music Director, STEPHANIE BUSING as Scenic and Video Designer, CHRISTINA MONTGOMERY as Costume Designer, CRAIG BROCK as Sound Designer, ANDREW MCINTYRE as Lighting Designer, and MEGAN SMITH as Stage Manager.
ZACH’s Director of Education Nat Miller says, “We are thrilled to bring this iconic story back on ZACH’s stage with a beautiful design, charming music, physical comedy, and a great cast. It is a wonderful way to introduce young people to live theatre in a way that is visually stimulating and enchanting with a book that has been read by many generations.”
Our Experience at GOODNIGHT MOON at the ZACH Theatre:
Our family loves going to the ZACH and it was a huge surprise that there was a petting zoo outside the theater today! The kiddos were so excited! Brie was already decked out in her kitty clothes for the animal-inspired ‘Goodnight Moon’ book for the occasion, so she made a beeline to meet the various critters before the show. It was a nice and unexpected touch for the little ones who were waiting to see the musical.
Next up, was getting to our seats which is always a fast and enjoyable experience due to the friendly and knowledgeable ushers. We had great seats at the ZACH’s Kleberg Theatre, but I don’t think there is any such thing as a ‘bad seat’ in this intimate and circular stage. ZACH provides educational pamphlets for families that includes background information about the production, interesting games for kids to do, activities for teachers and ways to give feedback to the education department. It’s a great way for kids to learn and get excited about the performance.
‘Goodnight Moon The Musical’ has a lot of audience participation such as the Goodnight Moon Dance and fun drum rolls that kept our younger daughter entertained. Yes!
When the show started, our family was so excited and the scenes, props, wardrobe, cast and crew did not disappoint. ‘Goodnight Moon The Musical’ has a lot of audience participation such as the Goodnight Moon Dance and fun drum rolls that kept our younger daughter entertained. Yes! The musical turns the story of a bunny who is going to bed in a more boisterous (and hilarious) adaptation of a bunny who won’t go to bed. As Brie said later at home when I asked her what her favorite part was in the musical, she said, “My favorite part is when the bunny keeps getting out of bed and won’t go to sleep!” Ha! As a book our entire family has memorized, I appreciated a unique spin of this classic book. If you and your family are fans of this book, or if you have younger children who who are not familiar (GASP), ZACH’s production of ‘Goodnight Moon’ is a fantastic adventure that won’t put you to sleep – unlike the main character. Love!
CAST
- Nicholas Kier – Bunny
- Lia Denah Treviňo – Mouse/Ensemble
- Paul Sanchez – Larry/Ensemble
- Jessica O’Brien – Old Lady/Ensemble
- David Peňa – Male Understudy
- Emily Villarreal – Female Understudy
- Allen Robertson – Musician/Ensemble
PRODUCTION TEAM
- Abe Reybold – Director and Choreographer
- Allen Robertson – Musical Director
- Stephanie Busing – Scenic and Video Designer
- Christina Montgomery – Costume Designer
- Craig Brock – Sound Designer
- Andrew McIntyre – Lighting Designer
- Megan Smith – Stage Manager
- Ryan Kenney – Assistant Stage Manager
Plan Your Trip!
Here are a few things to note:
- ZACH Theatre does offer drinks and snacks (including alcoholic beverages).
- ATMs are not available on site so plan accordingly.
- There is no specific dress code, but business casual is appreciated.
- While children’s shows are for kids and their families, they do prohibit infants from attending their Mainstage productions to avoid distractions.
- ZACH is fully handicap accessible and compliant.
- The Kleberg Stage (where GOODNIGHT MOON takes place) is located at 1421 W Riverside Drive, Austin, TX 78704.
Special Events in celebration of Goodnight Moon:
- Sensory Friendly and ASL Interpreted/Open Captioned Performance – Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 11 a.m.
- Pride Family Performance – Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 2 p.m.
The ZACH campus features three theaters each with differing seating configurations and excellent sight lines, so check your ticket to make sure you know the correct location:
- Topfer Theater: a 420-seat proscenium stage in which the seating fans around the stage in an arc, much like movie theater stadium-style seating.
- Kleberg Theatre: a 230-seat thrust stage, with the audience seated on three sides
- Whisenhunt Theatre: a 130-seat arena stage, also known as a theater-in-the-round.
Parking at ZACH Theatre:
In addition to nearby street parking on Toomey Road, Sterzing Street, Lee Barton Drive, Riverside Drive, and Jessie and Butler Streets (see map here), parking for ZACH patrons attending a performance is also available at ZACH’s Whisenhunt Theatre, at ZACH’s Topfer Theatre, behind the Parks and Recreation Department at night and on Sundays, and at The Bicycle Shop just south of Barton Springs and Lamar by McDonald’s. Parking is $7 per car. For night and weekend performances, attendants will be available to collect payment before the show via cash or secure mobile credit card. NEW: Subscribers can park in the Whisenhunt or Topfer lots for the discounted price of $5 with your 2016-17 hangtag. For a complete parking map, click here.
Goodnight Moon Schedule: March 2 – May 27, 2018
About the ZACH Theatre: Located at 1510 Toomey Road – Austin, TX 78704 (Phone (512) 476-0541), the ZACH Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization located in Austin,Texas. ZACH Theatre’s 2017-18 Season is sponsored in part, by The Moody Foundation, Baylor Scott & White Health, Dell, and Holiday Inn-Lady Bird Lake; and by grants from The Shubert Foundation, Junior League of Austin, The National Endowment for the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, and the Cultural Arts Division of The City of Austin Economic Development Department.
Support the ZACH Theatre!
ZACH thrives and prospers with support from patrons like you. Be a part of our cast of generous individual donors, family foundations, corporate sponsors and volunteers. It’s easy to donate your time, resources and ideas to make a difference at ZACH. Join us for our fantastic special events, exclusive behind-the-scenes opportunities and opening night celebrations as you support artistic excellence on our stages and valuable arts educational programming in our community. Learn more about how you can donate HERE.
GOODNIGHT MOON Review at the ZACH Theatre (Local Austin, Texas)
List Price: $18.00 (Youth) – $24.00 (Adult)
Tickets for Goodnight Moon are $18 (Youth) and $24 (Adult) and are available online at zachtheatre.org, by phone at 512-476-0541, or in person at the ZACH Theatre Box Office, in the Topfer Theatre, 202 South Lamar Boulevard (corner of Riverside Drive and South Lamar) Monday through Saturday, 12 – 5 p.m. ZACH Theatre is wheelchair accessible. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more.
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