Gerald the elephant and Piggie stand onstage, wearing fun accessories like a pool inner tube, a rainbow tutu, and a top hat.

Elephant & Piggie Books Come to Life Onstage This Fall

Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” adds songs and movement to author Mo Willems’ beloved books

When a book has few words, no background pictures, and two simply drawn characters, how does it translate on stage? For Theatre for Young Audiences director Allison Watrous, the addition of music by Deborah Wicks La Puma and fun costumes gives the two-dimensional stars life.

Piggie and Gerald the elephant hold out their arms in greeting, smiling widely. Piggie wears a pink dress and shoes, Gerald is wearing an oversized gray suit.

Michaela Murray and Sean Scrutchins in Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are In a Play!” Photo by Jamie Kraus Photography

“Mo Willems was very purposeful in creating the books, and they are left simple in a sophisticated way so people can interact with them,” said Watrous. “He talks about the books being played and describes the readers as an orchestra.”

In writing the book and lyrics for Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!”, Willems combined different storylines from the 25-book series to create the stage musical. Young audiences ages PreK through third grade will recognize We Are In a Book, as well as bits from Should I Share My Ice Cream? and I Am Invited To a Party!, among others.

“It’s a full blown musical and choreographed to the nines,” said Watrous. “We start out with a vaudevillian soft shoe [shuffle], then a 1965 big band, and end in the music that makes you want to do the Mashed Potato.”

The premise of the Theatre for Young Audiences production revolves around a party thrown by three feisty squirrels, the only other characters in the show aside from Piggie and Gerald the elephant. The setting is designed to feel like a 1965 variety show, and the squirrels take on the roles of harmonious backup singers and a fuzzy Greek chorus.

The Squirelles smile while singing, their hands out in a sassy pose. Each is wearing a brown and tan sequined costume.

Megan Schraeder, Kiara Monet, and Alex Campbell in Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are In a Play!” Photo by Jamie Kraus Photography

Though the characters of Gerald and Piggie appear simple on paper, costumes actually play a big role in setting the stage. Created by costume designer Kevin Copenhaver, who has dressed actors for A Little Night Music, Goodnight Moon, and the yearly production of A Christmas Carol, the designs are rooted in 1965 styles. He designed two puppets for the show as well, a penguin and a dog.

The squirrel costumes look magical in sequins, Piggie is decked out in pink, and rich shades of gray and different fabrics create Gerald’s look. Each character has an essence of animals with ears and feet.

“We approach the audience at the highest intelligence. It’s something Mo Willems talks about, that kids aren’t in any way of lower intelligence. They are new, they have never been to the party before so we have to talk about what’s happening,” said Watrous. “We want to honor young people and their creative intelligence.”

And if a little music and talking animals help showcase world views to the younger set, that’s okay too.