Weekend Showcase: Stages Theatre Presents “Dragons Love Tacos: The Musical”
A beloved children’s book is taking the stage in musical form for the first time at Stages Theatre Company in Hopkins.
“Dragons Love Tacos” by Adam Rubin is a popular book that celebrates imagination and friendship. Now, its debuting with a Twin Cities cast.
“The story follows Robbie, the main character, and his imagination. And his imaginary friends are the dragons,” said Addica Sarbono, one of the actors in the case. “There’s just so much that he dreams up. And in the end, at the party, everything comes to life.”
Addica is playing Kodi, the main character’s dog and sidekick. She is helping share the story with music for the first time. One of her solos is a song called “D-O-G.”
Robbie and his sidekick Kodi meet the dragon expert in “Dragons Love Tacos.”
“Being a part of a world premiere show is so fun. I’ve never done anything like it before. Being able to bring so much new character to it is so much fun,” Addica said.
The show is most exciting for younger kids, but Addica says anyone can enjoy it.
“Young kids, I feel like, can have a lot of fun. Especially if they were fans of the book,” she said.
There are plenty of surprises in store, just ask Mimi Stelljes. She’s in the dragon ensemble.
“There’s so many different things, and you never know what’s coming next,” Mimi said. “There’s some different twists and turns that you don’t know are going to happen!”
Besides sharing the spotlight, she gets a close-up look at the set behind the scenes. And its exciting, because some parts of the colorful set can be taken apart.
Robbie’s imaginary friends are the dragons, and they are colorful creatures that help bring the interactive stage to life.
Mimi says its a lot of fun with a lot of heart.
“It’s really just about friendship, and how there is always at least someone by you and with you,” she said. “Like Kodi; Robbie doesn’t realize it right away, but Kodi is always with him and loves him no matter what. Even if he doesn’t realize it.”
Performances start on Friday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m. and go through the Sunday, Feb. 25. Stages offers a variety of showtimes and accessible shows with different accommodations.
Megan Torbert, marketing manager with Stages Theatre, said tickets are selling out quickly. You can find tickets on the Stages Theatre website.
