Photo: PADDINGTON GETS IN A JAM, Photograph: © 2019 Richard Termine
There is a new, kid-hilarious show from Jonathan Rockefeller, creator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, playing at the Union Square DR2 Theatre through March 8th, 2020. Paddington Gets in a Jam is based on the same classic Paddington Bear from the books, not the movie version (which I found too upsetting for my young child). The Paddington of Rockefeller’s show is sweet and well meaning, funny, but never scary.
It all starts when Paddington tries borrow a cup of sugar and ends up attempting to help his neighbor get ready for an important visit from his great aunt Matilda. Everything Paddington touches falls apart with the disasters in direct portion to Paddington’s earnestness. The neighbor, Mr. Curry, gets more and more frustrated and angry with Paddington while the audience loves the little bear more and more. The kids in the audience find every disaster more and more hilarious and seem to love Mr. Curry’s frustration. As a parent, I feel sorry for Mr. Curry, to a point.
Photo: PADDINGTON GETS IN A JAM © 2019 Richard Termine
When aunt Matilda finally arrives, Paddington charms her just as much as the audience and she is the only thing that restrains Mr. Curry from throwing the bear out on his ear. At the end, I found Mr. Curry too unforgiving and felt a bit sad for Paddington. It is the point-of-view of a parent that always forgives even the worst behaving child at the end of the day when they mumble into sleep. I would like to see Mr. Curry forgive Paddington. But the kids didn’t even notice this–they probably assume it as kids always do. They were having way too much fun when there were so many good jokes that seem to appeal directly to the 5-9 set.
After the show, the kid’s had a chance to take a photo with Paddington and the cast with the cozy and realistic set. It really did feel just like seeing into Mr. Curry’s home.
Get tickets for your little Paddington fan at PaddingtonGetsInAJam.com.