BWW JR: EVERYTHING IN MODERATION.....AND LET YOUR (PINK) FLAG FLY

Let's just get one thing straight. My seven-year-old daughter does NOT like pink. Don't just think she likes pink ‘cause she's a girl and don't think that just because she's sitting in the audience of the Vital Theatre Company's long-running hit PINKALICIOUS, recently extended through March 11 at the Vinyard's Dimson Theatre, that it means she's some "pinky" kind of girl. She went through her pink phase, but now she's all about yellow. Got it?

But once upon a time, my little girl wore only pink. And much like the heroin of this adorable, bright-colored musical, my daughter began to O.D. on the hue. Based on the popular children's book of the same name by Elizabeth Kann and Victoria Kann, PINKALICIOUS the musical tells the story of a little girl who ate too many pink cupcakesand came down with a case of "Pinkatitus" which I believe is the theatrical equivalent to O.D.‘ing.

With the help of her family doctor and a lot of self-will, Pinkalicious must learn to eat her greensand take pink with moderation, a lesson which we can all learn from. (You know who you are). Meanwhile her brother Peter, who is largely overshadowed by his sister's large personality, has a forbidden love of the color which has always been "just for girls". In an adorably hopeful song called "I Got the Pink Blues", Peter proclaims his love of the color pink despite his father's stern orders not to be a pink-loving boy. Oh, honey. It really does get better.

For those who don't absorb the lesson about taking things in moderation without losing yourself and your own uniqueness, the show is a fun way to spend 55 minutes with any three through eight-year-old. I'm sure there are some calm and focussed two-year-old kids out there who could sit through it and enjoy, just none that currently live in my house.

My daughter and her friend (also seven), loved the colorful, economically-designed sets and the hilarious antics of the show's slightly hyper heroin. I liked our post-show discussion about pink, how it's not really just for girls, and how it's important to know what you like but not to go too crazy about one single thing. I'm hoping my daughter will extend that logic to her iPod Touch obsession but time will tell.

GET TO THE POINT, MOM!

• A whimsical, humorous and colorful musical based on the best-selling book PINKALICIOUS by Elizabeth Kahn and Victoria Kahn.
• Runs just under an hour, best for three through eight-year-olds.
• Recently extended through March 11 at the Vinyard's Dimson Theatre at 108 East 15th St, playing Fridays at 4:30 PM, Saturdays at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM and Sundays at 11:00 AM.
• For more information, including ticket prices and holiday school schedules, visit the show's web site a http://pinkaliciousthemusical.com.
• My daughter does NOT like pink!

Erin Leigh Peck is a New York based actor, writer and mother. She has performed on and off Broadway, in regional theatre and on tour, in films and on television. She most recently appeared Off-Broadway in The Toxic Avenger Musical and can often be seen on television in various commercials. Erin's play Mother of Mine is a contemporary 'dramedy' about pregnancy, parenthood and postpartum. She is the proud and busy mother of two extremely awesome kids. Please visit her web site, www.ErinLeighPeck.com.

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