Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical Turns the Alphabet Into a Party at Imagination Stage
Few picture books have earned a place on as many family bookshelves as Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, the 1989 alphabet romp by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, made unforgettable by Lois Ehlert's bold illustrations. Now those letters have climbed off the page and onto the stage in Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical, a joyful national touring production playing at Imagination Stage in Bethesda through October 18, 2026. Originally developed and produced by Seattle Children's Theatre, where it premiered in 2025, and presented on tour by Third Wish Productions, the show features a book by director Nina Meehan and music and lyrics by Austin Zumbro. Imagination Stage is one of only six theaters across the country selected to host the tour, which gives DC-area families a rare chance to catch it close to home.
Anyone who knows the book might wonder how a story that takes a few minutes to read aloud could fill an hour, but that turns out to be one of the production's greatest strengths. The adaptation keeps the famous scramble up the coconut tree at its heart while building a sweet story around it. Little z, tired of always coming last, longs for a chance to play with lowercase a, b and c, and as the letters make their way up the tree in groups, each gets a song of its own while everyone wonders the same thing: will there be enough room? Along the way the show branches out into playful lessons on alliteration, phonics, sounding out words and even how stories get built, all woven so naturally into the fun that young viewers hardly notice they are learning.
Critics were especially taken with Zumbro's bright, catchy score, which hops through a delightfully surprising range of styles, from bouncy pop to country to old-fashioned madrigals. A versatile five-person ensemble, guided by Mark Rabe's musical direction, shines in solo turns and as a chorus alike, and the performers bring boundless energy to every moment, tackling their silly character voices with gusto and leading the young crowd through the show's learning games with ease. Lightning-fast costume changes and a brisk pace keep even the wiggliest audience members locked in from start to finish.
The production's look drew some of the warmest praise of all. Jeffrey Cook's set is a rainbow pile of suitcases, each one opening to reveal a new surprise, whether letters, pop-up words, tiny puppet theaters or an entire coconut tree. The design pays loving tribute to the polka dots, chunky block lettering and vivid colors of Ehlert's original artwork while adding plenty of imagination of its own. Gwendolyn Cubbage's lighting casts a warm sparkle across glittering curtains and scenery, Danielle Nieves dresses the cast in cheerful neon patterns, some cleverly stitched with letters of the alphabet, and Kelly Lomonte's choreography keeps the movement simple, lively and always in service of the story.
What truly sets the show apart is how warmly it invites kids to join in. With sing-alongs, improvisation and dance moves for the audience to try, children become part of the adventure rather than simply watching it, and those interactive moments enrich the storytelling instead of interrupting it. Grownups aren't left out either, with clever wordplay tucked in for the adults in the room and a healthy dose of nostalgia for anyone who grew up with the book.
Running about an hour with no intermission and recommended for ages 3 to 9, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical makes an ideal first theatre outing for little ones, especially those just starting to recognize letters and spell out words. Performances are Saturday and Sunday matinees through October 18, 2026, at Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Avenue in Bethesda, Maryland.
To see a full list of all children's shows in the DC area, visit our Children's Shows In DC page.