Dory Fantasmagory

Performance Dates: March 20th - April 10, 2022
Run Time: 50 Minutes
Best for Ages: 4-8
Year(s) Produced: 2022
A coming-of-age musical comedy based on the popular children’s book!

About Dory Fantasmagory

Dory is a mischievous 6-year-old who doesn’t want to grow up. Her older brother and sister wish she’d stop acting like a baby, but when her siblings need her, it’s Dory’s imagination and bravery that will save the day.

Russ Kaplan and Sara Wordsworth, the co-creators of Broadway’s a cappella musical In Transit and NYCCT’s Dear Albert Einstein, bring the popular children’s book to life as a coming-of-age musical comedy.

Show Credits

Music by Russ Kaplan
Lyrics by Sara Wordsworth
Book by Russ Kaplan and Sara Wordsworth
Directed by Michelle Tattenbaum
Music Directed by Robert Frost

Based on the book DORY FANTASMAGORY by Abby Hanlon with permission of Pippin Properties, Inc.

Starring Jean Christian Barry, Ryan Dunn, Aguel Lual, Hannah Mount, and Bailey Seeker

Musicians: Robert Frost (Keyboard) and Ashley Baier (Drums)

Production Stage Manager Tyler Danhaus
Set Designer Jack Mehler*
Costume Designer Leslie Bernstein*
Associate Costume Designer Sepideh Hami
Lighting Designer Brian Aldous*
Sound Designer Megan Culley
Props Designer Sarah Azizo
Associate Props Designer Evangeline Dillard
Sound Board Operator James Macdonald
Audio Technician Christian Ritter
Wardrobe Supervisor Regina Gamboa
Lift Choreography and Movement Coach Melissa Riker

What Audiences are Saying about Dory Fantasmagory

“Everyone Loved It!”

We saw the show today, and everyone loved it! I’m telling everyone to go see it. Seriously, you guys somehow manage to out-do yourselves each time…

— NYC Mom
What Our Young Audience Members Are Saying

I really liked when the Dust Bunny and Mary popped up from the couch and the bin in the living room. I also really liked the song “Poison Soup” and the lighting for that song.

– Lucy, age 8.5

It was amazing! My 6 year old daughter wanted to say “Good job” to all the crew, didn’t want to leave and wanted to come again!

– 6 year old fan

— Young Audience Members
Brought the Book to Life

The show did a great job of bringing the book to life in easy to digest story telling and musical numbers.

— NYC Parent
What a Fantastic Show!

What a fantastic show! These actors really bring the books, characters, and relationships to life. The hour went by SO quickly and I really thought it was smart to introduce the show with a little bit of audience interaction to keep us all engaged and help the time pass while we were waiting. I’m amazed by those actors, and the sets were really fun!!

— NYC Parent
NYCCT Knocked Their Production Out of the Park

NYC Children’s Theater’s musical adaptation of Dory Fantasmagory brought the children’s book of the same name to life with lots of laughs. My 6 year old and I familiarized ourselves with with the book series before seeing the show, but my 4 year old who has never heard of DF, was able to follow right along.

NYC Children’s Theater knocked their production out of the park with a fun cast that followed the book’s original plot very closely but with creative and witty musical numbers peppered in, and a simple, yet extremely creative set design that was easily changed by the characters on stage without missing a beat.

A fun addition to the production was a performance artist who came out and warmed the crowd up before the show and got the kids’ imaginations fired up. Active participation pre-show helped the kids get all their wiggles and sillies out so that they were able to sit still and be a captive audience for the 50 minute production that flew by.

— FiDi Families
One of the Best Shows Period!

Dory Fantasmagory appealed to my whole family. We are loyal fans of the books, and the show had us laughing out loud! We loved how they brought this fantastic story to life. My husband said it was one of the best kids shows he had ever seen, but my children didn’t like that qualifier. It was one of the best shows PERIOD!

— NYC Parent
A Dream Come True!

We have been Dory fans for a few years. To see it come to life on stage was a dream come true! The production was done so well, and stayed true to the book. We are so glad we found NYCCT. I have 4 young children and will definitely be coming back for another show. My kids LOVED it! The staff was so friendly and welcoming, the theater was easy to get to, the show was the perfect length and the theater was cozy and inviting. I can’t say enough about how magical our experience was. Thank you NYCCT for making affordable children’s theater a possibility for our family! We’ll be back!

— NYC Parent
5 Things To Do This Weekend | The NY Times

Among young siblings, the littlest often becomes either a dreaded pest or a doted-on darling.

Watching Hannah Mount portray a creative 6-year-old who, at first, falls firmly into the scorned category is one of the many pleasures of “Dory Fantasmagory,” from New York City Children’s Theater.

In this musical adaptation of Abby Hanlon’s book, Dory’s brother and sister make up the child-stealing Mrs. Gobble Gracker to scare off their small nemesis. But Dory, whose imaginary friends include a talking dust bunny and an affectionate monster, proves more than unfazed.

This spirited show by Russ Kaplan and Sara Wordsworth plays its final performances on Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Theater Row.

— Laurel Graeber
The Kids Were Giggling and Cheering the Whole Way Through

What a perfect literary series to mount as a musical theatre adaptation! My child was an early reader and loves musical theatre so the combo was a home run. Your concept of engaging kids in social emotional learning through books on stage is really brilliant and it definitely helps them connect with the show. So smart to bring Dory to life, so much fun! The show was funny and creative, the cast energetic and engaging, and the kids were giggling and cheering the whole way through. We loved it and can’t wait to see what’s next, thank you!

— NYC Parent
A Fantastic First Experience in the Theater!

We loved seeing our favorite characters come to life! My kids laughed and cheered throughout the show. It was a fantastic first experience in the theater.

— NYC Parent
She Was Just Awestruck

This was my 4 year old’s first show and she was just awestruck. From the pre-show experience with the teacher artist until the bows, she was enraptured. The show was just perfect for that age and the environment so kid friendly. We both had the best time and can’t wait for more!

— NYC Parent
The Musical Really Captured What We Love About the Books

Our whole family loves the books and we’ve been reading the whole series more than 5 times. The musical really captured what we love about the books. The atmosphere, characters and scenery was on point. Great music too. Our son and his friend were super excited both prior and afterwards.

— NYC Parent
“Everyone Loved It!”

We saw the show today, and everyone loved it! I’m telling everyone to go see it. Seriously, you guys somehow manage to out-do yourselves each time…

— NYC Mom
What Our Young Audience Members Are Saying

I really liked when the Dust Bunny and Mary popped up from the couch and the bin in the living room. I also really liked the song “Poison Soup” and the lighting for that song.

– Lucy, age 8.5

It was amazing! My 6 year old daughter wanted to say “Good job” to all the crew, didn’t want to leave and wanted to come again!

– 6 year old fan

— Young Audience Members
Brought the Book to Life

The show did a great job of bringing the book to life in easy to digest story telling and musical numbers.

— NYC Parent
What a Fantastic Show!

What a fantastic show! These actors really bring the books, characters, and relationships to life. The hour went by SO quickly and I really thought it was smart to introduce the show with a little bit of audience interaction to keep us all engaged and help the time pass while we were waiting. I’m amazed by those actors, and the sets were really fun!!

— NYC Parent
NYCCT Knocked Their Production Out of the Park

NYC Children’s Theater’s musical adaptation of Dory Fantasmagory brought the children’s book of the same name to life with lots of laughs. My 6 year old and I familiarized ourselves with with the book series before seeing the show, but my 4 year old who has never heard of DF, was able to follow right along.

NYC Children’s Theater knocked their production out of the park with a fun cast that followed the book’s original plot very closely but with creative and witty musical numbers peppered in, and a simple, yet extremely creative set design that was easily changed by the characters on stage without missing a beat.

A fun addition to the production was a performance artist who came out and warmed the crowd up before the show and got the kids’ imaginations fired up. Active participation pre-show helped the kids get all their wiggles and sillies out so that they were able to sit still and be a captive audience for the 50 minute production that flew by.

— FiDi Families
One of the Best Shows Period!

Dory Fantasmagory appealed to my whole family. We are loyal fans of the books, and the show had us laughing out loud! We loved how they brought this fantastic story to life. My husband said it was one of the best kids shows he had ever seen, but my children didn’t like that qualifier. It was one of the best shows PERIOD!

— NYC Parent
A Dream Come True!

We have been Dory fans for a few years. To see it come to life on stage was a dream come true! The production was done so well, and stayed true to the book. We are so glad we found NYCCT. I have 4 young children and will definitely be coming back for another show. My kids LOVED it! The staff was so friendly and welcoming, the theater was easy to get to, the show was the perfect length and the theater was cozy and inviting. I can’t say enough about how magical our experience was. Thank you NYCCT for making affordable children’s theater a possibility for our family! We’ll be back!

— NYC Parent
5 Things To Do This Weekend | The NY Times

Among young siblings, the littlest often becomes either a dreaded pest or a doted-on darling.

Watching Hannah Mount portray a creative 6-year-old who, at first, falls firmly into the scorned category is one of the many pleasures of “Dory Fantasmagory,” from New York City Children’s Theater.

In this musical adaptation of Abby Hanlon’s book, Dory’s brother and sister make up the child-stealing Mrs. Gobble Gracker to scare off their small nemesis. But Dory, whose imaginary friends include a talking dust bunny and an affectionate monster, proves more than unfazed.

This spirited show by Russ Kaplan and Sara Wordsworth plays its final performances on Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Theater Row.

— Laurel Graeber
The Kids Were Giggling and Cheering the Whole Way Through

What a perfect literary series to mount as a musical theatre adaptation! My child was an early reader and loves musical theatre so the combo was a home run. Your concept of engaging kids in social emotional learning through books on stage is really brilliant and it definitely helps them connect with the show. So smart to bring Dory to life, so much fun! The show was funny and creative, the cast energetic and engaging, and the kids were giggling and cheering the whole way through. We loved it and can’t wait to see what’s next, thank you!

— NYC Parent
A Fantastic First Experience in the Theater!

We loved seeing our favorite characters come to life! My kids laughed and cheered throughout the show. It was a fantastic first experience in the theater.

— NYC Parent
She Was Just Awestruck

This was my 4 year old’s first show and she was just awestruck. From the pre-show experience with the teacher artist until the bows, she was enraptured. The show was just perfect for that age and the environment so kid friendly. We both had the best time and can’t wait for more!

— NYC Parent
The Musical Really Captured What We Love About the Books

Our whole family loves the books and we’ve been reading the whole series more than 5 times. The musical really captured what we love about the books. The atmosphere, characters and scenery was on point. Great music too. Our son and his friend were super excited both prior and afterwards.

— NYC Parent

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