Review: Thoroughly Modern LILLY'S PURPLE PLASTIC PURSE Dazzles First Stage Audiences

Twenty years and 21st century technology bring Kevin Henkes' beloved picture book Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse to First Stage this May and June to send their audiences into summer on a brilliant high. In a production combining three Henkes' stories, including "Chester's Way" and "Julius, Baby of the World," Kevin Kling's theatrical adaptation of Henkes' tiny mice tales delightfully portray Lilly, "Queen of the World." Stories where Lilly discovers friendship and family carry her through those times when as Henkes wrote: "Today was difficult, tomorrow will be better."

This contemporary Lilly, Chester and Wilson chatter on cell phones while still eating peanut butter sandwiches cut into delicious triangles. In her First Stage directorial debut, Marcella Kearns leans Henkes' characters to eloquently speak with elongated pauses that emphasize their innate wit, which adds a touch of sophistication to their rodent personalities.

This youthful worldliness plays out on Joe Klug's set design, a fantastical place where the "uncooperative chair" reminisces another Lily-- Lily Tomlin's gigantic chair for her childlike alter ego Edith Ann, where the chair overwhelms the little mouse to great effect. Klug's shadowbox backdrop both backlit and filled with all things Lilly--books, pencils and of course, purses-- brightens the set with colorful warmth through Jesse Klug's lighting design. In Lilly's world, neon lights glow from behind gigantic polka dots and strobe to music.

At the heart of Henkes' story, the original and outrageous Lilly alongside her two friends Chester and Wilson decide to be three peas in a pod instead of merely two peas in a pod, forming a fast friendship trio. After which Lilly's Grammy offers to take Lilly school shopping for a new purse and glitter sunglasses. Lilly can hardly contain her enthusiasm at home or school for her purple "genuine plastic" purse that plays music when the purse opens and jingles with three shiny quarters.. In her excitement, Lilly struggles with the attention her baby brother Julius receives at home, in spite of her purse, and with her teacher Mr. Slinger, Eventually Mr. Slinger must place her beautiful new purse on his desk at school because Lilly distracts the entire class from their lesson on cheeses of the world, another moment when "Today was difficult, tomorrow will be better."

A superb "Purple" Young Performer cast, one of two that alternate in performances, features the irrepressible Emily Harris in the role of Lilly, who exudes confidence the entire evening similar to the Opera Diva Lilly claims she wishes to be when she grows up. Ben Usatinsky revels in the role of Chester, where his line delivery becomes an immediate pause for humor while a supportive Spencer Tornich provides stalwart BFF status to this dynamic duo on stage. Even baby Julius becomes a live little mice being, a role where Lina Singh shines. In total, 15 young performers create Henkes' mischievous mice, a grand total of 30 using the two alternating casts.

Elyse Edelman (Mom, Grammy), Chiké Johnson (Dad, FBI Agent) and Bo Johnson (Mr. Slinger, Salesman) support the young performers, often playing dual roles. Edelman impresses in her tall boots as Grammy, the "Original Queen of the World," who dances with her granddaughter Lilly. In an outstanding dream sequence where Lilly fantasizes about the powerful, purple plastic purse, the dazzling scene displays a showpiece for the production's adult cast, young performers and technicians.

The glittering Lilly, "Queen of Everything," embodies the essence of Henkes' story and the performance so that two peas in a pod can grow to three peas in a pod and then four, when the trio accepts Julius as a "baby of the world." Or perhaps even five or more, when friendship opens the heart and helps a mice, or person, cope with the unexpected changes life inevitably brings.

Lilly travels a long way into a brave new world each day she wakes up, wishing for those opportunities where her fabulous style will carry her along, just as the audience does, to accept any challenges in life.. Lilly does this with panache, while admitting her mistakes and asking forgiveness when needed with an unabashed openness of heart and mind. A commitment to "like everything," she remains undaunted and continues to discover her authentic self. Chester and Wilson accept Lilly for the unique personality she portrays, dressed in bandages along with red cowboy boots and a crown. She definitively feels as brave as she looks courtesy of Debra Krajec's imaginative costume design, and the audience connects to feeling brave along with Lilly.

First Stage presents a fantastic, glamorous world where looking brave transforms into feeling brave, and courage arises from within one's own soul. When every difficult day changes overnight into another chance or opportunity, an event to celebrate and become who one really wants to be. In honor of Lilly's 20th anniversary, carry a powerful purse, or perhaps a back pack, that spreads a little sparkle around to those one meets. On opening night, children in the audience honored Lilly and their own authentic selves wearing an array of mouse ears purchased in the lobby at intermission.

Celebrate 20 years of glamour and glitter immersed in First Stage's splendid and thoroughly modern Lilly. Henkes' commanding mouse personality still carries her purple plastic purse with pride, dances her way through each day and then completely charms her audiences by realizing the true values in life surround the glitz. Lilly knows better tomorrows happen when shared with those special people she loves--and ultimately believes that being one of two, three or four peas in a pod sparkles the days ahead because she's joined to the hearts of family and friends.

First Stage presents the 20th Anniversary of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse in the Todd Wehr Theater at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts through June 12. In the lobby, a handmade version of Lilly's purple plastic purse ($8) can be purchased along with mouse ears ($15) to support First Stage. For information on the First Stage Theater Academy, First Stage Summer Camps, the 2016-2017 season or tickets, please call; 414.273.7206 or visit: www.firststage.org.

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