Review: Creativity Abounds in THE GIRL WHO FORGOT TO SING BADLY at Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center's ongoing Ireland 100 Festival features an eclectic selection of theatre, dance, music, and other art from Ireland, and offerings for little tikes are certainly not forgotten in the mix. For four public performances, Louis Lovett - billed as "one of Ireland's most experienced and critically acclaimed actors for young audiences" - introduced some of the Kennedy Center's youngest patrons (and their parents) to little Peggy O'Hegarty, her parents, and some people she meets along the way during one adventurous day in Ireland. THE GIRL WHO FORGOT TO SING BADLY, presented by Theatre Lovett, took a bit of time to get going - tight storytelling is sacrificed for far too many show-stopping (literally) audience interaction bits that got more than slightly grating for this adult - but there's no denying the creativity of Lovett, Director Lynne Parker, Writer Finnegan Kruckemeyer, and a slew of designers, especially original set designer Paul O'Mahony. The story, Lovett's performance, and the design elements clearly have the power to engage even those most restless children.

Peggy, we're told, likes to sing, but she's not quite talented. In fact, she sounds pretty bad. When she's not singing, she helps her parents with their packing business - an area where she does have considerable talent. The family members can even pack a grand piano into a candy container! One day, the calls for their services come to a halt so Peggy decides to go on an adventure that takes her far away from what she knows. She meets some friendly and not-so-friendly creatures (and people) along the way, and a slew of challenges she didn't expected. When she returns home, she's greeted with a note indicating her parents are on a job on a boat. They ask for her to join them. Peggy must get to the boat, and - as it turns out - she must do the unthinkable to save them and others, especially for such a small girl. She discovers her own strength, and her own voice. Missteps might occur along the way, but a little self-confidence can go a long way.

Mr. Lovett used a myriad of colorful costumes (Joan O'Clery) and distinct voices to embody Peggy and those she meets along the way. A talented physical actor with a clear love for performing for young kids, he put his all into the performance I witnessed, and his enthusiasm was infectious. While the sometimes over-the-top mugging would have been inappropriate for more adult fare, it was conducive to engaging the target audience. Along with Lovett's acting, theatrical lighting (John Comiskey) and sometimes joyful and sometimes intense soundscapes and music (Carl Kennedy) were key elements to present each moment of Peggy's adventure (a storm scene is the most gratifying in this department). O'Mahony's set, however, was the standout design element. Initially, the audience saw a large crate - much like one that Peggy and her parents might use to pack a variety of items. However, as the story unfolded, so did the crate, revealing even more crates, and a variety of other surprising elements. Like Peggy and her parents, O'Mahony knows how to ingeniously conserve space and pack a lot into a small area in a particularly creative way that services the story.

Just as the play was slow to get off the ground, it was also slow to, well, end. Lovett took a bow, but the show didn't end there. A Q&A with the audience immediately followed, and Lovett continued to "perform." While likely fun for the little kids - especially one quite loquacious little girl sitting near me - there's such a thing as remembering the old adage: "the first rule of theatre is knowing when to get off."

Still, even if all of it wasn't my cup of tea, there's something to be said about entertaining the next generation of theatergoers, and making them excited for live performances.

Running Time: 80 minutes including talkback. No intermission.

THE GIRL WHO FORGOT TO SING BADLY played the Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theatre on May 20-22, 2016. For further information on the Ireland 100 Festival, which continues through June 5, consult the festival page on the Kennedy Center website: http://www.kennedy-center.org/festivals/ireland/index.

Photo: Louis Lovett pictured; by Pat Redmond.

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