Washington Post
- Recommended
"... Not that the achievements are exclusively terpsichorean: The production, directed by Janet Stanford, also benefits from a stirring original score by Matthew Pierce and from nifty puppetry, including a marvelous version of the lion Aslan (picture an 8-foot-high, flame-colored kitten romping majestically through zero gravity). Eric Van Wyk, who devised the spare, effective set (including a snow-and-ice backdrop that morphs into flowers) is the puppet designer."
Washingtonian
- Highly Recommended
"...An inspired collaboration between Imagination Stage and the Washington Ballet, this gorgeous new musical adaptation of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe offers a heady blend of dance, acting, singing, and grand-scale puppetry. Framing the cast’s uniformly strong and synchronized performances are dreamlike scenery, eye-pleasing props, and a highly effective, even cinematic, score."
Washington Blade
- Highly Recommended
"... In joining forces to create Imagination Stage’s summer show, “The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe,” the Washington Ballet and Imagination Stage have upped the bar on local children’s theater. Based on C.S. Lewis’s familiar novel, the charming world premiere production uses music, dance and sophisticated puppetry to retell the classic in a way that appeals to kids and not-so-young theatergoers alike."
ShowBizRadio
- Recommended
"...Imagination Stage’s new take on classic children’s novel finds strength in approaching a slightly abstracted and dance-heavy performance with youthful energy and a sense of the magic that is so necessary to Lewis’s story. While I understand the decision made to manageably fit it all into ninety minutes, I think this idea would do well upon further exploration to be fleshed out into a longer format. Nonetheless, the piece functions in an exemplary way to expose children to more abstract theatre and dance. Adults, too, will enjoy escaping to Narnia."
MD Theatre Guide
- Highly Recommended
"...All in all, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is a success for many reasons. It has great music, a stellar cast, a really big lion, and members of The Washington Ballet. While the C.S. Lewis story might be more appreciated by older audiences, people of all ages will enjoy the show in their own way."
DCTheatreScene
- Highly Recommended
Imagination Stage lives up to, in fact exceeds, its name, its mission and all manner of lofty expectations with their splendiferous production of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe. This is collaboration at its very best – every element of live performance - acting and ballet - melded together into one seamless piece of theatrical virtuosity.
DC Theater Arts
- Highly Recommended
"...Imagination Stage, in collaboration with The Washington Ballet, presents C.S. Lewis’ cherished adventure The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe. Directed by Janet Stanford and music composed by Matthew Pierce, this production couples drama and dance, enabling a universally known story to be told in a unique and beautiful way."
