Review: JUDY MOODY AND STINK: THE MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD TREASURE HUNT at Des Moines Playhouse: Kate Goldman's Children's Theatre: An Adventure Awaits

As a kid we have huge dreams on what we are going to do over the summer. Usually when it comes to the end of the summer and the school year is getting ready to start, we find that those dreams haven't been fulfilled. In "Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt" by Allison Gregory, which was based on the book series by Megan McDonald, Judy is going into her third-grade year of school and doesn't have an adventure to tell all her classmates about. She doesn't even have a t-shirt with words to show what she did over the summer. In the Des Moines Playhouse production, which opened on February 22, Judy gets to go on an adventure, and the Playhouse takes the audience right along with her.

How do they take us on that adventure? The first way they do that is with the brilliant set design by Kevin Shelby. I appreciate Kevin's minimalistic approach to his set design. He does an amazing job by picking out exactly what is needed in each scene to effectively tell the story. My favorite piece had to be the bunk bed. I enjoyed watching how when it was turned around, it became the class room. Then the white board could be folded down to put us on the ferry going to the island, to name a few. As an adult it made me want to see how they were going to use it next, so I'm sure it grabbed the kid's attention as well. With the other pieces that were brought in through out the show, the set let the kids use their imaginations to fill in the places the characters were at.

The cast also does a great job of taking us on this adventure. Lily Spahr does a great job in bringing the title character to life. I could see why she her frustration getting ready for the first day of school and the pain of not having a big summer adventure. The standout in the cast to me was Doug Cochrane, who played multiple characters through out the show. Each one more over the top than another. Every time he came onstage, I felt like I was in for another treat. His performance was the glue that brought all these over the top characters together.

There were more fun bits through out the show. While their characters were small, the mom and dad brought something fun to the show. Mom, played by local morning radio host Jen Green. She brought an energy from the beginning of the show that brought a smile to my face. Dad played by Adam Beilgard, didn't get much material in the script to play with during the show, but he made the most of each moment. Some of my favorite moments were when he delivered some of the "dad jokes" in the show. His delivery gave me a smile, while I could also see how if he were my dad I would be annoyed. It was a great balance.

Overall, I had a great time with this show. I even text a friend during intermission letting them know that I thought this would be something their daughter would enjoy. If you have kids, I think they would enjoy the show as well.

If you are looking to take your kids on an adventure over the next few weeks, take a trip with Judy Moody and Stink to the Des Moines Playhouse. This adventure continues on Fridays at 7:00 PM sas well as Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. All good adventures come to an end and this one ends on March 10. For more information and to buy tickets , please visit

https://www.dmplayhouse.com/events/judy-moody-stink-the-mad-mad-mad-mad-treasure-hunt

Photo by Steve Gibbons