By Robert Andersen

A Barnyard of Talent

Lifeline Theatre scores another hit with their whimsical barnyard talent show!

That crazy duck over at Farmer Brown’s Barn is at it again.  Last year Duck wanted to be President of the barn.  This year Duck wants to win a talent show at the State Fair to get himself a trampoline.  Once again James E. Grote has done a wonderful job of adapting Doreen Cronin’s charming books to the stage.  The original music and lyrics by George Howe highlight the characters of this entertaining story and the talents of this gifted cast. Heather Currie, as Cow, and Amanda Link, as Ewe, deliver exceptional performances.

Director Shole Milos has brought together many of the original team members that created the previous Lifeline KidSeries hit Duck for President!, both on the stage and behind it.  Some of the costumes have changed. The one that I miss is Duck’s, but Costume Designer Jana Anderson has visually realized beautiful costumes that according to my 11-year-old daughter, “looked like they were fun to wear”.  The book’s illustrator, Betsy Lewin, has done masterful work bringing the story to life on paper and Scenic Designer Alan Donahue captures that same essence on stage. I enjoyed it so much that I wanted more.

If there is a down side to this production it is that they have so little space to use.  But don’t misunderstand my intention gentle reader, this production is absolutely delightful!  It is somewhat overshadowed, in my opinion, by the ominous set of the main stage production of Treasure Island.  To Duck’s defense now rush my two daughters, the aforementioned 11-year-old Emma, and my 4-year-old Evelyn: “what do you mean there was a ship on stage?” and “I want to go play on the farm!”  They were completely oblivious.  Well, actually Emma was the one who hit the nail on the head, “I knew that what was back there wasn’t a barn but the show was so good I didn’t care”.  There you have it, what better testament to the quality of a performance than that?  Enough said.

Lifeline proves themselves the perfect theatrical playmates with their completely engaging Dooby Dooby Moo. Reward your kids and yourself this weekend with this brilliantly boisterous barnyard bash!

4 STARS

(”Dooby Dooby Moo” runs through December 6 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood. 773-761-4477.)

Lifeline Theatre :: Dooby Dooby Moo

Dooby Dooby Moo production photos by Suzanne Plunkett.

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