Jonathan Rockefeller has done it again! The creator of the smash hit The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show has a new show out this winter: Paddington Gets in a Jam – a funny, exquisitely beautiful production aimed at young children and featuring the impossibly adorable Paddington Bear.
In the story, Paddington visits his neighbor to ask for some sugar. His neighbor asks him to help him clean his house in preparation for his great-aunt’s visit, Paddington agrees and makes a huge mess, that only he can somehow get out of.
Paddington is an endearing schlemiel who always gets in trouble unintentionally and when he tries to fix his mistakes things end up being much worse. He is so good-natured, though, that you can’t get angry with him, thus kids can sympathize with him (and perhaps see a bit of themselves in him as well). Despite his mischievousness, Paddington is a pretty good role model for kids: his favorite things are smiling, marmalade and saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. And he will give someone a hard stare if they forget their manners.
I took my boys, ages 7 and 10, and both really liked it. The show, which is just under an hour, is recommended for kids ages 4-9 but I don’t see why a three-year-old would not love the show and the simple story. And slightly older kids can certainly enjoy the mischievousness as well as the humor. The show is indeed very funny and the kids in the audience laughed often (I myself may have chuckled several times…shhh…) Many of the jokes are visual (as in slapstick) and are geared towards young kids (and some adults…ahem…). The set is gorgeous and visually appealing to young children, with many objects painted in primary colors.
Overall, the show was sweet but not overly cutesy, and it’s perfect for young kids who may not be able to sit through a full-length production but still want to see a show with a character they can identify with.
Jonathan Rockefeller said about the show: “Our goal is to foster a life-long-love for the theatre and an appreciation of the arts. We hope everyone leaves the theatre with a smile on their face–knowing that they have enjoyed a unique family experience that can be shared with others – without a cell phone or an iPad in sight.”
And I can guarantee my kids and I left the theater with a smile…
When: Through March 8, 2020
Where: DR2 Theatre
103 East 15th St., Union Square
Price: $49.50 and up. Premium and VIP tickets also available.
To purchase tickets please call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or click here.
Photos by Richard Termine
I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets.
Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for nineteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids, ages 12, 10 and 7.
Invented by the British author Michael Bond, Paddington appears far more gentlemanly and literate than Pooh, and he certainly has a superior wardrobe. (Unlike Pooh’s too-small shirt, Paddington’s signature duffle coat covers his bottom.) But the two share important traits: They both love sweets, and in navigating the wider world, they’re fundamentally clueless. That characteristic underlies “ Paddington Gets in a Jam ,” the charming, cheerful family show that just opened Off Broadway at the DR2 Theater. Created and nimbly directed by Jonathan Rockefeller, it demonstrates how much can go wrong when you send a well-intentioned bear to do a person’s tasks.