(c) TheaterWorksUSA
We loved the Pout Pout Fish presented by TheaterWorksUSA at New Victory Theater (Broadway for kids, we love New Victory). It’s for ages 4 and up and that really does make sense, although there were younger kids there. Based on the The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark (affiliate link), part of the massively successful Pout Pout fish series by Deborah Diesen and illustrated by Dan Hanna, the story stayed pretty true to the book but with amazing songs. The creative team did a fantastic job creating catchy tunes that you feel like you have heard before with lyrics kids can understand.
The cast never seemed to run out of energy maneuvering all fish puppets with realistic swimming motion, but I especially enjoyed Kelly Grago’s lead as the Pout Pout Fish, the only puppet where I completely forgot there was a person there and was able to just imagine the fish doing the singing.
The story follows Pout Pout as he tries to get back one of his friends most prized items, a pearl she made (his friend is a clam of course), and then get back home to his friends. But to get there, he has to face off with a cleaver octopus, a shark, and the Big Big Dark. I was worried the shark would be scary, but it wasn’t at all. The shark was super friendly.
What I was most surprised about was the feeling of triumph I shared with my kid when Pout Pout made it though the Big Big Dark. There were a few lessons thrown into this, but I came away feeling like Pout Pout was always pretty happy, he just didn’t quite realize it because he thought his mood was supposed to match his pouting face.
The show runs 55 minutes with no intermission. Don’t miss the free activities before the show.
Pout Pout Fish is going on tour, but the last day to see it at New Victory is tomorrow October 20th.
*We were offered press passes for this show.