Review: THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW at Imagination Stage

The production runs now until October 22nd

By: Oct. 03, 2023
Review: THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW at Imagination Stage

“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” is one of the most beloved children’s books of all time, and the stage production of it does not disappoint!

Now playing at Imagination Stage in Bethesda, Maryland, the ravenous insect is the headliner with opening acts of three other Eric Carle stories. As a parent, I feel this is important to point out, so your kids don’t think they’re going to see their green friend right off the top. However, they should enjoy what they see as the openers are also cherished Carle books: “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?”, “10 Little Rubber Ducks”, and “The Very Busy Spider”.

These stories come alive with the help of sizable puppets of all colors, operated by puppeteers Jordan Essex, Irene Hamilton, Andres F. Roa, Bri Houtman, Moira Todd and Harry Denby III. I have read “Brown Bear” to my kids about a million times, so it was wonderful to see it moving around right before my eyes. A vibrant “red bird” was a big hit with my three-year-old son. He also exclaimed “That’s a big duck!,” when “yellow duck” hit the stage.

My son sat for the entire show, which lasted about an hour. Parents will know, that’s a big win. He absolutely loved the lighting changes and could not stop talking about the lights shining down and changing the color of the stage. 

In addition to “Brown Bear”, I have “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” memorized. This is not a brag (as I could not even tell you what I ate this morning), but it’s more to bring home the point of just how many times I’ve read this book to my kids because they love it. Most do.

“One Sunday morning, the warm sun came up and pop! Out of the egg came a tiny and very hungry caterpillar.” At the reading of this line and “pop!”, my son’s jaw literally dropped open when he saw the caterpillar emerge from the egg. It was the sweetest moment to see. Once the shock wore off, he was back to talking to the stage yelling “Hi, Caterpillar!”

I saw The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show years ago at Imagination Stage and I’m happy they have brought it back as part of their ‘Greatest Hits’ series. My son and I had a great time and I would recommend it to other parents looking to take their kids to the theatre. 10/10! No notes!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show is playing at Imagination Stage until October 22. It runs 55 minutes and is best for ages 3-8.


BroadwayWorld Awards Voting

RELATED STORIES - Washington, DC

1
Review: AS YOU LIKE IT at Shakespeare Theatre Company Photo
Review: AS YOU LIKE IT at Shakespeare Theatre Company

Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of 'As You Like It' is fun and playful, and it often feels that the cast, creative team, and audience are having an absolute blast together. With a strong team both on and off the stage, there’s an ease and joy that permeates every aspect of the production that’s undeniable.

2
Review: SWEPT AWAY at Arena Stage Photo
Review: SWEPT AWAY at Arena Stage

What did our critic think of SWEPT AWAY at Arena Stage?

3
Folger Theatre To Expands Reading Room Festival With Slate Of Engaging Programming Photo
Folger Theatre To Expands Reading Room Festival With Slate Of Engaging Programming

Folger Shakespeare Library has announced Folger Theatre's eagerly-awaited second iteration of The Reading Room Festival.

4
Review: THE DRAGON KINGS DAUGHTER at Kennedy Center Photo
Review: THE DRAGON KING'S DAUGHTER at Kennedy Center

With very few exceptions, musical theatre writers that have attempted to write the book, music, and lyrics for their shows do not succeed. Jason Robert Brown’s The Last Five Years is a rare example of one person successfully doing it all.

Videos


The Book of Mormon in Washington, DC The Book of Mormon
The National Theatre (3/05-3/17)
Peter Pan in Washington, DC Peter Pan
The National Theatre (4/09-4/21)
Rockville Little Theatre presents “The Grapes of Wrath” in Washington, DC Rockville Little Theatre presents “The Grapes of Wrath”
F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre (1/26-2/04)
She Loves Me in Washington, DC She Loves Me
Hefner Theater, Asbury Methodist Village (1/06-1/06)
Public Obscenities in Washington, DC Public Obscenities
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company (11/13-12/23)
Atlas Presents: Sounds of Silence Film Series: Atlas Presents: Sounds of Silence Film Series: "Bare Knees" - 1928
Atlas Performing Arts Center (4/14-4/14)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Isata Kanneh-Mason in Washington, DC Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Isata Kanneh-Mason
Center for the Arts at George Mason University (1/28-1/28)
Mariachi Herencia de México in Washington, DC Mariachi Herencia de México
Center for the Arts at George Mason University (12/10-12/10)
The Promised End in Washington, DC The Promised End
IN Series (11/18-12/10)
Las Hermanas Palacios (The Palacios Sisters) in Washington, DC Las Hermanas Palacios (The Palacios Sisters)
GALA Hispanic Theatre (2/01-2/25)
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You