Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
The live band of four welcomes everyone upon arrival with pleasant, heart opening musical numbers. The feeling of being welcomed arises with joyful expectation to see something fun and uplifting. A musical about auditioning for having own kids’ TV show and winning the competition gets all the competitors to show their dreams and desires, but also by sabotaging each other’s acts, it shows what competition does to one who is absolutely entranced with the opportunity of success and becoming a celebrity. You may feel as if the world has started to spin a little out of control, by discoveries of who did what. As much as the show feels directed towards a strenuously young demographic, this production with its familiar encounters, known to many in any world of business, is indistinctively suitable for everyone. It is utterly charming, joltingly gutsy, creative, hilarious and entertaining.
A World Premiere Musical Comedy produced by Village Green Production and Sami Kolko KID GLOVES, book and lyrics by fabulously talented Matthew Leavitt, an award-winning playwright, director and librettist; music by a highly successful composer in Hollywood and Asian cinema, known for his versatility Nathan Wang; choreography by Christine Lakin; music direction & additional arrangements by Anthony Lucca, an award-winning music supervisor, orchestrator, and arranger, and direction by accomplished Richard Israel, a New York-based theatre director specializing in the development of new musicals and is the recipient of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Career Achievement. Together with the Design Team; scenic design by Mark Mendelson; lighting design by Andrew Schmedake; charming costume designs by Rebecca Carr and sound design by Christopher Moscatiello, they created a violent delight, downright authentic and familiar at the same time, exciting new musical. This would not be reached without the BAND and its members; Anthony Lucca as music direction/keyboards, Borbin Jones on bass, Ryan McDiarmid on drums and the sounds of the guitar were handled by Will Wu.
The deliriously funny characters played by the gifted cast are: Will Collyer as ‘Caleb Keeler,’ Heather Marie Marsden as ‘Meredith Irwin,’ Adam J. Smith as ‘Eddie Irwin,’ Natalie Lander as ‘Darla Darling,’ Joey Richter as ‘Jackson Laundry,’ and Lauren Lorati as ‘Vicki DiMarco.’ The judges in deciding who the future entertainer will be are; Jonathan Slavin as ‘Edmund the Elephant,’ who loves hugs and never forgets a friend, Suzy Nakamura as ‘Penelope and Bonita the Bunny,’ and Harry S. Murphy as ‘Professor Penguinpants,’ from the penguin university. Chris Kerrigan as ‘Juaquin Blair’ is the host. Casted by Michael Donovan, the world of adventure is expressed passionately by perfect cast through outrages acts by the entire ensemble. It is Valentine’s weekend and a great time to laugh and have some fun, besides the romantic moments.
KID GLOVES opened on Saturday, January 17 at 8pm and runs through Saturday, February 28, 2026, at The Skylight Theatre, 1816 1/2 N. Vermont Ave. in Los Feliz. The showing times are Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. Running time is approximately 100 minutes without intermission. The tickets are $45.00.
Tickets: https://kidgloves.ludus.com