Click, Clack, Moo: Animals on Strike

Every summer, as kids flee their schools and revel in two months of academic freedom, family-themed company TheatreworksUSA produces an original musical that they present free of charge, making it easy and affordable for families to see a quality show and inspire the next generation of theater fans. This summer, the musical is an adaptation of Doreen Cronin's children's book Click, Clack, Moo (with illustrations by Betsy Lewin).

 And it seems uniquely appropriate to have a free children’s musical about a union of barnyard animals that go on strike to protest mistreatment. When Farmer Brown’s cows send him notes explaining that their barn is cold and they’d like some blankets, he refuses to give in. They stop giving milk, and when that’s not enough, they encourage their nemeses the chickens to support the strike, until Farmer Brown has neither milk nor eggs to sell. (No mention is made of selling beef or drumsticks, and probably for the better. It’s a kid’s show, after all.) Naturally, it all ends well, and everyone learns some Very Important Lessons about working together, being fair, and fighting for what’s right.

But while the lessons are Very Important, Click, Clack, Moo never descends into preachiness. Like the best musical comedies for grownups, the show makes its points with plenty of wit and charm. Best of all, it never condescends to its audience, dealing with the characters’ problems with genuine sensitivity and grace that goes far beyond what many children might expect. (The fact that the show sneaks in clever references to other musicals like West Side Story and Les Mis doesn’t hurt, either, and makes it even more appealing for adults.) The fun score by Brad Alexander (music) and Kevin Del Aguila (lyrics) has a nice country sound that fits the story well, and Billy Aronson’s book deftly balances intelligence with whimsy.

The game cast of six, playing a variety of species, makes each of their roles unique and distinct.

As the
increasingly beleaguered Farmer Brown, Drew McVety is appropriately blustery, but makes sure his character’s inner kindness is never far from the surface. As his granddaughter Jenny, Sarah Katherine Gee is very winsome, and gets to rock out in one quite memorable moment. As The Farm’s cows, Gretchen Bieber, Michael Thomas Holmes and Kristy Cates get the bulk of the action, and share a strong chemistry. Holmes scores plenty of laughs as Loretta becomes increasingly aware of social politics, while Cates nicely conveys Maddie’s good-natured heart under a tough exterior. DeMond B. Nason probably scores the most laughs of the evening as a put-upon duck who ends up serving as a go-between in the negotiations between The Farmer and the cows. Nason, Gee and McVety also double as the chickens of The Farm, leading to some cute scenes with adversaries learning to work together for The Common good.

Beowulf Boritt’s set preserves the look of a children’s book illustration, using angles and bright colors to keep the fantasy fantastical. Lora LaVon’s costumes humorously suggest each animal while never ignoring an audience’s capacity for imagination: For example, the cows wear patterned blouses and aprons along with tails made of rope.

With prices for Broadway skyrocketing every year, it’s truly wonderful to have a company like TheaterworksUSA that makes quality shows accessible to families all over the city. Here’s hoping they get more sponsors so that this annual tradition can happen twice a year, if not more.

 

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