BWW Interviews: Director Mark Adams and Actress Kelley Peters Talk MADELINE'S CHRISTMAS

"In an old house in Paris
That was covered in vines
Lived twelve little girls in two straight lines."

Madeline is in a pickle again. It's Christmas time and all her friends and teachers are sick! Will her classmates get well enough to go home for Christmas? How will our damsel work under distress? Hopefully, she'll keep her trademark head and heart. She'll need to if she wants to save Christmas.

I talked to director Mark Adams and Madeline herself, Kelley Peters, about the iconic character and Main Street Theatre's MADELINE'S CHRISTMAS.

BWW: I love Madeline. She's one of my favorite characters!* How are you translating this time-tested story to the stage?

Kelley Peters: We've been making sure we ring true, not only to the kids reading the books now, but to the moms and dads who are going to come see the show. It's not just for the children but the children in the hearts of all those moms and dads out there who grew up reading Madeline. Even my mother. Madeline was the first book that she read.

BWW: What adventure does Madeline go on in this story?

Kelley Peters: It starts off with Miss Clavel taking the girls on an outing to the zoo. Unfortunately, the girls get sick [except for Madeline], and everyone wants to go home for Christmas. It's been a long time, and they're all disappointed that they won't be able to visit their families because they're sick. An adventure comes out of that with a rug merchant and a magician.

BWW: What draws you to Madeline's story?

Kelley Peters: Madeline has been so iconic through the years because of her honesty and her relatability. The story teaches you about just that - honesty, bravery and standing up for your individuality. She hasn't changed and the stories haven't changed. They can be related to all ages and all time periods.

Mark Adams: Many people have grown to adulthood under the careful guidance of Madeline. [I Laugh] I don't have children of my own but I have two nieces that are 8 and 10, so I'm always drawn to stories about plucky, courageous, independent young girls. They remind me of my nieces and how smart, creative, energetic, and funny they are.

I think that someone like Madeline serves as a great role model for other young girls and boys - seeing a very generous, kind, and courageous girl who is taking on this responsibility of nurturing and caring for sick friends and teachers and trying to keep all these balls in air because, as she announces many times in show, she's not afraid of anything. You can just imagine the incredible woman Madeline will grow into. Much is also made in the show about trying new things and not being afraid of taking an adventure. You should be cautious. Be careful. Don't be reckless. But don't deny yourself an adventure. Equally, don't miss the chance to help someone else and to be someone else's strength when they don't have the strength themselves. It's all couched with lovely music, delightful characters and humor. It's a very, very delightful show.

BWW: Kelley, how did you prepare to fill the big yet little shoes of Madeline?

Kelley Peters: This is my first ball game with children's theatre. But it's not much different from performing to a group of adults. Kids are smart. You can't pull the wool over their eyes. They're so observant. They see everything. So we want to make this honest. We want to make it loud, and make it colorful but tell the story.

In preparation, besides wonderful vocal rehearsals and getting all of us in sync with the music that's written, it's just making these honest reactions and these honest scenes just a bit bigger and a bit more articulated so it's extra clear to the kids. The hands are shimmering a bit more so we can attract those young minds.

It's been such a fun experience. It's going back to our childhood, and those moments when everything is new, bright and has endless possibilities.

Mark Adams: Kelley is a great singer and wonderful actor. No one is going to be disappointed by what they get from this particular Madeline - our own Kelley Peters.

Kelley Peters: [Laughs] Thank you!

BWW: In such a busy season of Christmas plays, why should audiences see MADELINE'S CHRISTMAS?

Mark Adams: This is coming at the perfect time. It serves as an antidote for people who don't want to see or already have seen A CHRISTMAS CAROL and are looking for something else for their family. Here is a story that also does send a very sweet holiday message. It's just perfect for what you're looking for when you see a show at Christmastime. It touches all those buttons that we like to have touched when we're going to a Christmas story.

Kelley Peters: It's a heartwarming story that goes along with the holidays that anyone can enjoy.

See more of Kelley Peters' exuberance and Madeline's pluck in MADELINE'S CHRISTMAS, which runs Nov. 16 - Dec. 21 at Talento Bilingüe de Houston, 333 S. Jensen, 77003. For more information, visit MainStreetTheater.com or call 713-524-6706.

Photos are by RicOrnelProductions.com

*Just in case you're wondering - and I know you are - other animated characters near and dear to my heart include Curious George, Babar the Elephant, and Paddington Bear (he just loves that orange marmalade so much!).