Lyle- he of Lyle, Lyle Crocodile fame- is perfectly happy with his life on East 88th Street. He has his mother, his father, his best pal of a brother, and a host of neighbors and friends who [mostly] welcome a crocodile to their block. But when Hector P. Valenti- star of stage and screen- appears with a promise to reunite Lyle with his crocodile Mama, everyone assumes that the showman is up to his old tricks and refuses to trust him. Everyone, that is, except for Lyle.
Photo credit: Suzanne Plunkett
Lyle Finds His Mother is part of Lifeline Theatre’s popular KidSeries, which features their Stories Come Alive! Hour; after each 11am show and prior to the 1pm performance, kids can enjoy an interactive storytelling session and up and at ‘em theatre games for only five bucks per kiddo. However, the real draw for Nora and Susannah was getting to hug and high-five their favorite characters after the production. (Hey, some children vie for autographs- mine collect snuggles and photo ops.) Nora couldn’t wait to say hi to Lyle’s mother (the acrobatically impressive Deanna Myers), while Zu beelined straight for Lyle Crocodile (a winning and subtly witty Anthony Kayer).
We found this sweet musical (directed by Lifeline’s Artistic Director Dorothy Milne and recommended for children 5 and up) to be a little gentler and a little more simply themed than standard matinees for young audiences. The multitasking cast all dabble in dual roles- as well as the kind of showy circus arts which made Lyle such a draw to the scheming Valenti in the first place. Erin O’Shea, as Mrs. Primm, is genuine and maternal, and her husband (portrayed by Linsey Falls) hilariously juxtaposes with Hector P. Valenti. Brian Tochterman Jr. rounds out the cast as Lyle’s sweetly youthful human brother Joshua. Fans of the book by Bernard Waber will adore seeing the main crocodile himself soft-shoe his way across the world.
And at only an hour long, your own little monkeys- er, crocodiles- will enjoy the heck out of this tale of discovering where you really belong.
Runs March 22nd– April 27th (no performances Easter Sunday, April 20th)
For tix and info, call 773.761.4477 or visit www.lifelinetheatre.com
(I was provided complimentary tickets, but all thoughts, opinions, and high-fives are my own.)
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