Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – CAT KID COMIC CLUB proves to be another inspired musical adaptation for kids by TheatreWorks USA

• By drediman
• August 21, 2023
• No Comments

This past weekend at Off-Broadway’s classic Lucille Lortel Theatre in the West Village, I had the opportunity to catch up with Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical, TheatreWorks USA’s musical adaptation of the children’s book series by Dav Pelkey. Written by Some Like It Hot‘s Tony-nominated Kevin Del Aguila (book and lyrics) and Brad Alexander (music), the show comes on the heels of the writing duo’s Dog Man: The Musical, another Pelkey page-to-stage adaptation that also proved a hit for TheatreWorks USA.

Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical is an inspired follow-up, to be sure. Although some children may initially consider it a less wacky and therefore less engaging cousin to the more overtly outlandish Dog Man adventures, there are many giddy pleasures to be found Del Aguila and Alexander, who both tap into their inner child to produce a stage show that’s ultimately just as joyous, unhinged, and well-crafted as its predecessor (and if you’ve witnessed Del Aguila’s performance in Some Like It Hot, you probably won’t be surprised). Cat Kid Comic Club‘s tamer – albeit episodic – premise (which basically involves Cat Kid’s attempt at maintaining a comic club for young frogs) ultimately proves to be a blessing, allowing the characters to more organically embrace Pelkey’s unique brand of irreverent imagination and stealthy instruction in equal measure.

The TheatreWorks USA production at the Lortel has been directed and choreographed by Marlo Hunter, who injects just the right balance of warmth and goofy shenanigans into his staging. To boot, he’s elicited some wonderfully silly, skillfully comedic, and well-sung performances whose quality shouldn’t be underestimated. And parents, fear not. Although is aimed towards those from first to fifth grades, I personally had a hoot watching the show – and watching kids watch the show.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

CAT KID COMIC CLUB: THE MUSICAL
Off-Broadway, Musical
TheatreWorks USA at the Lucille Lortel Theatre
1 hour, 10 minutes (without an intermission)
Through August 27