Pink problems and family fun in ‘Pinkalicious’ musical
Kids will think pink and have fun when they see the touring children’s show “Pinkalicious, The Musical” at the Perot Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 4, at one of two times, either 11 a.m. or 2 p.m.
Presented as part of the Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council’s Perot Theatre series, this family musical tells about what happens when one girl, Pinkalicious herself, won’t stop eating pink cupcakes. Her devotion to them, in fact, causes a serious condition called Pinkititis, which sees her turn entirely pink.
“Pinkalicious, The Musical” is based on the popular series of children’s books of the same name written by two sisters, Victoria and Elizabeth Kann. They also wrote the similarly themed “Purplicious.”
But in this show, it’s all about pink as our young protagonist at first enjoys her predicament but must then find a way to return to her normal self.
Included with this production are VIP tickets for a Women for the Arts-sponsored Pinkalicious
Tea Party after each show. That includes a tea party with the cast, party gifts and treats. Only 200 VIP tickets are available.
Vital Theatre of New York City brings the children’s musical to town, and actress Brittany Lacey will create the Pinkalicious character for this show. In this case, it’s a case of art imitating life, she admits.
In addition to liking pink, the actress has also played the pink-loving Elle in the stage play “Legally Blonde.” She jokes that Pinkalicious is just a younger version of Elle.
“It’s working for me,” Lacey said with a laugh. “I’m hoping to keep it going.”
In Pinkalicious, she plays a girl who’s got some spunk. “She’s a young, little, sassy girl who lives in a world of pink and cupcakes,” Lacey said. As for that sort of life, she admits that it “sounds like a grand old time to me.”
In some ways, Pinkalicious’s Pinkititis is a dream come true, but her parents are justifiably worried about it. With her brother, she must find a way to get back to her real color, and that involves green. As in green food. Pinkalicious starts out set in her ways, but she must change for the better and learn some things along the way.
“She has some growth throughout it for what a little girl can do,” Lacey said.
The 14 original songs in the show cover various genres, the actress said. There’s a country number, plus pop and blues.
This keeps it entertaining and upbeat so adults can enjoy it, too. While many girls love pink, the boys can, too, Lacey said.
“Color doesn’t have a gender,” she says, noting there’s enough comedy that anyone can laugh along with the show.
The musical debuted a decade ago in New York City and eventually moved on to bigger houses in Manhattan, Lacey said. Vital Theatre has a production in the city and another production that tours the country with a different cast. For her, this is her first time doing “Pinkalicious” and her first time with Vital.
“I always wanted to do the show. I’ve seen productions of it and I always thought it was a lot of fun. I love children’s theater,” Lacey said. She loves acting for the kids, who are genuinely excited and open-minded.
“For me, it’s the energy that there is on stage,” she said about doing children’s theater. She feeds off that energy, and she says the cast is excited to be back in Texas and present the show here in Texarkana.
“As a cast, we’re loving this right now,” Lacey said.
(Tickets: $18, $13 for kids 12 and younger, and $25 for the VIP Pinkalicious Tea and Show. To get tickets or for more information, call 903-792-4992 or visit TRAHC.org.)