When you consider the back-talking, truancy, aiding and abetting of criminals, evading arrest and owning a horse and a monkey without proper permits, Pippi Longstocking might not be the best role model for kids.
What the character lacks in conventional law-abiding citizenry, she more than makes up for with her ingenuity, heart, simplicity and innocence. It is these characteristics Director Pam Cardell excelled at bringing to the Eastern Michigan University Theatre’s stage production of “Pippi Longstocking.”
Pippi is the sassy Swedish whirlwind who first turned up in Astrid Lindgren’s books in 1945. The character has progressed through numerous books, films, television shows and, of course, plays. She is most easily recognized by the fire-engine red pigtails that seem to levitate from either side of her head.
The actors in this production work so well because they are so believable; it was easy to forget the 12-year-olds on stage were actually college students. Pippi, portrayed by Kristin Hardy, was sweet, funny and showed off her character’s energy in fun and creative ways.
As usual with EMU productions, Set Designer John Charles created a beautiful world for Pippi and the townsfolk to live in. With enormous sets rotated between scenes, there were more than a few “ooohs” and “ahhhs” from the audience during scene changes. Charles seems to excel at creating environments that can transform within minutes, taking audience members from a house to a carnival to seaside docks.
The show’s songs do leave a bit to be desired at times. While the actors are talented, not all of them had singing voices to match. Fortunately, the wonderful live music, led by Musical Director R. MacKenzie Lewis, covered up some of the worst missed notes. Unfortunately, sometimes the beautiful music drowned out key dialogue.
Those minor issues aside, “Pippi Longstocking” was a fun and lively musical intended primarily for children, and they seemed to love it.
“I like it, especially the carnival and the horse,” said 8-year-old Cameron, who could barely tear himself away from coloring a drawing of Pippi during the intermission.
Before the show and during the intermission, children were encouraged to enter the “Pippi Coloring Contest,” with the winner to be notified following the final performance. In addition, they had a chance to make up their own Pippi-esque name.
“She had fun and really liked the monkey,” Susan Welch, 34, said of her daughter Ashley, 5. “I think I need to read her the books now.” Ashley was dancing down the sidewalk after the show Saturday afternoon. Ashley’s dancing in the cold afternoon showed maybe Pippi Longstocking wasn’t such a bad role model after all.
For those interested in seeing the child-at-heart musical, it will be showing at Quirk Theatre for one final weekend, 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9 and 10 and at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11. Tickets can be purchased at the Student Center and Quirk Theater box offices, and at www.emutix.com.
