First Stage’s “Pinkalicious” a tasty treat for Milwaukee

This Friday, First Stage will color Milwaukee pink with Pinkalicious, a new musical based on the popular children’s book by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann. The story follows Pinkalicious Pinkerton, a little girl who develops an unusual disease that turns her pink from head to toe after eating too many pink cupcakes.

There’s a few obvious morals to the story that jump out – the importance of nutrition, for one. But 12-year-old Mallorey Wallace, playing Pinkalicious in one of the play’s casts (Gaby Musickant has the role in the other), says this show isn’t as simple as it appears. “There are a lot of lessons that are kind of hidden … ‘be yourself,’ ‘things are good in moderation,'” Wallace said, adding that the show was fun too. “It’s so cute!”

Wallace has the experience to back up her critique: she’s been acting since the age of 5, with credits on the stages of the Milwaukee Rep, Skylight Music Theatre, the Fireside and, of course, First Stage. In that time, she’s made many friends young and old, and has grown to love acting – especially at the children’s theater. “First Stage is definitely the best, schedule-wise, for school,” she said. “You miss so much school in other performances and here it’s so much better because you’re not missing hardly any school. It’s so warm and welcoming here and you make so many friends. It’s great!”

Pinkalicious was initially created in 2006 by sisters Victoria and Elizabeth Kann to resemble Victoria’s 3-year-old daughter, also an avid lover of pink. While Victoria took the franchise solo with sequels including Goldilicious, Emeraldalicious and Silverlicious, Elizabeth contributed to the development of the musical version being performed by First Stage, alongside composer/lyricist John Gregor.

While Pinkalicious is clearly aimed in part at young girls with an enthusiasm for pink, the show also appeals to boys, thanks to the role of Peter, Pinkalicious’ brother. Peter, played by Cole Winston in Wallace’s cast and Austin Winter in Musickant’s, feels stuck in a world of greens and navy colors, and just wants to admit that he secretly loves pink too. “Peter loves pink and all his life he’s been told, ‘No you can’t like pink, you’re a boy, you can’t do it,'” Wallace said. “But he’s not sticking to the status quo – he’s going against it.”

As for adults – well, what caregiver can’t relate to parents (adult actors Niffer Clarke and Gustavo Mellado) futily trying to make sure their kid goes easy on the sweets?

In the end, Wallace offers a “succinct” summary that might be the best (or cutest, at least) reason to see the show: “There’s a lot of comedy in it, but in the end it is very lovey and mushy, and you know the family all comes together and realizes that things are all good in moderation and they are perfect. Pink is power!”

Pinkalicious, directed by John Maclay with Jamie Johns on music direction, opens on Feb. 22 at 7 p.m., and will continue through March 24 at Todd Wehr Theater. Tickets range from $12-32, and can be ordered online or at (414) 267-2961.