Austen Nash Boone
Last week at Off-Broadway’s Lucille Lortel, Theatreworks/USA opened its free summer show, the world premiere one-act musical Skippyjon Jones, based on the popular picture book series by Judy Schachner, to near-unanimous positive reviews. For the record, the creative team includes Kevin Del Aguila (book, lyrics), Eli Bolin (music), Peter Flynn (direction), Devanand Janki (choreography), Rob Odorisio (sets), Tracy Christensen (costumes), Jeff Croiter (lights), Carl Casella (sound), and Frank Galgano and Matt Castle (orchestration). The cast includes Austen Nash Boone (Skippyjon Jones), Jose Restrepo, Veronica Reyes, Gabrielle Ruiz, and Graham Stevens.
Joe Dziemianowicz (N.Y. Daily News): 3 out of 4 stars. On the surface this one-hour show for kids 4 and up is simply a kicky tale of a big-eared Siamese cat who’d rather be a Chihuahua. But look closer and themes resonate about acceptance and being comfy in your own skin, er, fur. Either way, it’s light and bright and scampers along thanks to five game actors and a litter of lively songs … harmonizing pups declaring, all too accurately, “We are Chihuahuas! Yap! Yap! We’re macho and mean. In purses and handbags we ride.”
Laurel Graeber (N.Y. Times): Adults may fear that they’re about to be trapped in an hourlong Taco Bell commercial. But Skippyjon Jones offers far more rewards, even if it does involve Chihuahuas with exaggerated Spanish accents. … Del Aguila’s witty lyrics … are well matched by Eli Bolin’s multitextured score. … The young actors nimbly portray multiple roles – and species. And, refreshingly, this is one family entertainment where you don’t have to root for either cats or dogs. Only that greedy insect gets a bad rep.
Andy Propst (Theater Mania): Little ones learn some important lessons about the power of the imagination and accepting others for who they are in Skippyjon Jones. … With a breezy book and gag-filled lyrics by Kevin Del Aguila and a deliciously giddy Latin-infused score by Eli Bolin, the show also proves to be a great deal of fun … for theatergoers of all ages. … Under the direction of Peter Flynn, and featuring lively dances by choreographer Devanand Janki, the company rips into the material with gleeful abandon.
Frank Scheck (N.Y. Post): This summer’s free offering from Theatreworks/USA deserves a hearty olé! … The hourlong show features a tuneful, Latin-flavored score by Eli Bolin and genuinely witty lyrics by Kevin Del Aguila: “We are Chihuahas! Yap yap! We’re macho and mean. In purses and handbags we ride. Aie-Yie Mighty Chihuahuas! We’re hyper and lean and Mexico’s where we reside.” … The show will delight small kids without boring adult chaperones. Best of all, tickets are free.
Sam Thielman (Back Stage): Once upon a time there was a beautiful Kevin Del Aguila–Eli Bolin score that lived with some embarrassing direction. … Peter Flynn doesn’t have much use for the non-imaginary parts of the show, and it shows. The scenes in the “real” world have that painful cuteness that lards kids’ TV, but they give way to the confused Siamese mindscape quickly enough. … Skippyjon Jones goes a bean joke too far on more than one occasion. The kids will have a ball anyway.