Advertisement

SKIP ADVERTISEMENT

Review: ‘Skippyjon Jones Snow What’ Continues Tale of a Conflicted Cat

Skippyjon Jones Snow What Junior Mendez as the conflicted cat in a play adapted from Judy Schachner’s children’s book.Credit...Jeremy Daniel
Skippyjon Jones Snow What (& the 7 Chihuahuas)
NYT Critic’s Pick

Skippyjon Jones is a Siamese cat who believes he’s a Chihuahua. You might think he’d require a veterinary psychologist or at least a visit from Jackson Galaxy, Animal Planet’s punked-out cat whisperer. But Theatreworks USA has a better idea: Just put the conflicted kitty onstage and let him act out his fantasies.

The result is “Skippyjon Jones Snow What,” this company’s latest family musical in its program of free summer performances at the Lucille Lortel Theater. As young readers know, Skippyjon began life in the imagination of Judy Schachner, author of picture books about his south-of-the-border dreams. Three years ago, Kevin Del Aguila and Eli Bolin did the first Theatreworks Skippyjon adaptation, and they’ve reprised their collaboration for “Snow What.” And, amigos, I’m happy to report that this effort is just as clever, comical and boisterous.

Skippyjon’s hourlong adventure begins after he spurns his little sisters’ choice of a bedtime story, “Snow White.” Instead, Skippyjon, played with great brio by Junior Mendez, leaps into his closet — his portal to life as his canine alter ego, Skippito Friskito — and finds himself in a grim (and Grimm) wood. His old pals there, the Seven Chimichangos, who are Chihuahuas, not dwarfs — only four appear onstage, played by L. R. Davidson, Alexander Ferguson, Christian Perry and Lexi Rhoades — make him vow to take on the role of prince and rescue Nieve Qué, or Snow What. This princess is a dog (the barking kind), but that’s not what upsets Skippito. Princes wear tights and bestow kisses and, well, no way, José.

But a promise is a promise, and when Skippito frees Nieve Qué, she bursts into passionate song. (Mr. Bolin, a wonderfully versatile composer, infuses much of the score with mariachi rhythms, but this ode to love is hilariously operatic.) Portrayed with Latin heat by Ms. Rhoades, Nieve Qué is so outraged by Skippito’s aversion to matrimony that she wants to find the bruja, or witch (a brilliant Mr. Perry), and eat another poisoned apple so she can land a better prince.

Parents can be forgiven for wondering if this isn’t too big a dose of gender, not to mention ethnic, stereotypes. But the wryly satirical “Snow What” never offends. And Mr. Del Aguila, who wrote the book and lyrics and directed, doesn’t stick with tired traditions. Over the course of several plot twists, Nieve Qué takes up sword-fighting and feminist attitudes. As for that macho Skippyjon, who knew that being a prince — in the sense of a considerate guy — could be just as fulfilling as being a Chihuahua?

“Skippyjon Jones Snow What” runs through Aug. 7 at the Lucille Lortel Theater, Manhattan; twusa.org.

A version of this article appears in print on  , Section C, Page 6 of the New York edition with the headline: A Fuzzy Fantasy Fairy Tale. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe

Advertisement

SKIP ADVERTISEMENT