Champlin Park Theatre Presents ‘Dragons Love Tacos’ Feb. 6-8
An energetic, kid-friendly production is coming to Champlin Park High School next weekend. “Dragons Love Tacos” is a show inspired by a popular children’s book.
As of this week, the CPHS student actors are still taking notes from their director that will eventually translate to the stage.
Student actor Jonas Bingen, who plays one of the dragons, said all the work is worth it.
Oftentimes, CPHS Theatre puts on classic shows like “The Music Man”.
This one’s a little different, but Bingen said putting on a sillier, more child-like show is a fun experience.
“You walk in, you’re having a crummy day. And then you go on stage, and you see all these people dancing and bouncing and jumping and laughing and smiling, and you’re like ‘how can I be mad?'” Bingen said.
There are a number of taco-loving dragons in the production. CPHS student Katelyn Lee is playing one of them. She thinks this show could give people an escape.
“I just want them to have a good time,” Lee said. “Things are not the greatest in the world currently. I just want, I’d say, an hour of not having to think about the scary things out in the world or what’s happening.”

Student actors at Champlin Park High School run through a “Dragons Love Tacos” scene. Actors said this show was a great chance to be over-the-top and let loose.
A Colorful Show
In the show, a boy is watching a show about dragons on television.
Eventually, the boy is immersed into their world, alongside a couple of narrators. CPHS student Laura Silmser is one of those narrators.
“Basically, dragons love tacos,” Silmser said. “So if you want to be friends with dragons, you have to have tacos.”
Silmser said the set is as exciting as the show.
“Super colorful — there are lots of patterns and lights and things going on. Lots to watch and lots to be engaged with,” Silmser said.
And there’s more to it than light and laughter. Silmser said it also has a moral: never give up.
“There’s always going to be a way to get through it if you keep trying,” Silmser said. “So perseverance, for sure.”
The show opens on Thursday, Feb. 6, and runs through that weekend. You can pick up tickets on the Champlin Park Theatre website.