SALT LAKE CITY — Over the course of the ten years I have been writing for Utah Theatre Bloggers, I have had the opportunity to review five of the yearly theatre for young audience (TYA) productions at Salt Lake Acting Company. These productions are my favorite productions to take my young children to see as they are just beginning to experience the world of theatre, and SLAC’s productions are among the top TYA productions I see every year. This year’s production, Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience with script and lyrics by Mo Willems and music by Deborah Wicks LaPuma, measured up to the high standard I’ve come to expect from SLAC. Penelope Caywood, director/choreographer/music director extraordinaire, has once again created a solid piece that keeps audiences of all ages engaged.
Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience, based on the book Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems, is the story of Wilbur, a naked mole rat, who is ready for a change. Everyday is the same in his tunnel colony, including the weather. Then, one day, clothes inexplicably fall from the tunnel sky in front of Wilbur. He tries them on and decides he likes clothes a lot! Unfortunately his friends and neighbors do not feel the same and they stage an intervention. Concern over Wilbur’s new interest is eventually taken to the head mole rat, Grand-Pah.
Cast of Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience at SLAC | Photo by Nick Fleming
Wilbur is played by Joseph Paul Branca, who brings an enthusiastic and innocent energy to the daring young mole rat. Branca has a singing voice that does well at Wilbur’s power ballads, “Time To Get Dressed” and “Should I Get Dressed.” Branca especially shows his strength on the high notes. Wilbur’s enthusiasm for clothes is intriguing for his friend Tall, played by Katie Lobrot, even through Tall tries to hide it. Lobrot does well showing Tall as someone who is starting to get reeled in by Wilbur’s new love. Wilbur’s courage to try something new eventually overcomes Tall who exhibits a new interest and ability as well.
I have seen Matthew Tripp in at least three productions now, two of which were SLAC’s TYA productions. I am always delighted by Tripp’s versatility in playing multiple characters. In this production, Tripp plays Naked Mole Rat 4, newscaster Stark Naked, and Grand-Pah, bouncing from acting as a rock band member, to a newscaster, to an awed senior community leader. I especially enjoyed Tripp’s performance as Grand-Pah and his complaints about all the echoes as he confusedly spoke to the wrong mole rat.
Cast of Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience at SLAC | Photo by Nick Fleming
Salt Lake Acting Company’s space is a small black box theatre in an old church. I am amazed each year at how well they use the space and the detail and attention they give to the set, props, and costumes. This particular set, designed by Gage Williams, managed to both fill and magnify the space through the use of perspective. The light design by Jesse Portillo not only added to the effect and story telling but also was a part of the set design with the tunnel lights and the rock scenes.
I’ll admit — my child and I had a conversation on the drive to the theatre discussing just how they would costume the naked mole rats. I expected fleshy colored costumes with tails, but I didn’t expect warm and lose fitting onesies, that looked like the most comfortable costumes I’ve ever seen. I was a little concerned how Wilbur’s clothes were going to look and fit over his mole rat costume, but each fun and colored costume fit perfectly without overly adding to the mole rat’s bulk thanks to the designs by costume designer Dennis Hassan and assistant costume designer Leah Brown.
Cast of Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience at SLAC | Photo by Nick Fleming
Salt Lake Acting Company and Penelope Caywood continue to thrive with their productions for young audiences. My only critique of the performance was some sound balance issues where the lead singer would become overpowered by the instrumentals and the rest of the cast. This happened with Grande, played by Alexa Shaheen, during the opening number “Naked Rules” and then again with Wilbur during “Hats and More.” Overall, Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience with its high energy cast is a solid well rounded 50 minute show that is suited for all ages, but especially children who are new to experiencing theatre.
