Weekends are now sold out for the remainder of the run of Dragons Love Tacos, and ATMTC has introduced limited walk-up standing-room-only seating for weekend dates starting March 1. There are only 10 SRO tickets available per performance. SRO Tickets are $15 each. Flexpass patrons can use their Flexpass tickets as well for SRO seats.
To purchase SRO seating, you must arrive at the theatre a minimum of 30 minutes prior to the start of the performance, inform the Box Office you’re there for SRO tickets, and then stand in the Standing Room Only line. When the Box Office is available to sell you tickets, let them know how many tickets you would like to purchase (or redeem if you’re a Flexpass Member). Then, please return to the SRO line with your stickers that identify your party has paid. The House Manager will bring you into the theatre when places are called. You must wait in line the entire time. Please plan accordingly.
Adventure Theatre’s ‘Dragons Love Tacos’ is quirky fun for all ages
(Review originally published February 12, 2025)
A musical based on the popular children’s book Dragons Love Tacos is a nearly sold-out bona fide hit thanks to writer Ernie Nolan along with the clever theatrical designers and cast at Adventure Theatre & ATMTC Academy. The engaging story is packed with bouncy music, nonstop action, and noteworthy messages for the entire family.
In a theatrical departure from the book, the show hinges on a delightful 1970s TV theme with images projected on a giant television console centerstage. Clips of the Jetsons, Scooby Doo, the Jackson Five, and Batman settle us firmly in earlier times. There’s even a nod to Steamboat Willie, Disney’s earliest animation, all the handiwork of sound designer Brandon Cook and projections designer Hailey LaRoe.
Another engaging feature is a boy and his lovable dog Leroy, played affectionately by Jimmy Bartlebaugh and Jordan Essex. The two are such sidekicks that Leroy even tries to help the boy answer his homework correctly, but to no avail. Once Mom leaves on an errand, the frustrated boy plops in front of the television, and that’s when the hijinks begin. A mysterious Man in Suit, a high-octane performance by Jackson Saunders, talks directly to the boy through the television about dinosaurs, and before you know it, they’ve all entered the house.
Like an ever-present ringmaster, the Man bounces along the circular stage, announcing the “mind-blowing, earth-shattering, titillating” excitement of having dinosaurs among us! The audience doesn’t need much convincing once the playful ensemble of dinosaurs in various colors, shapes, and sizes romp and stomp around the house in full regalia, incredible costumes by Bailey Hammett-Colwell. They are a hoot!
In the high-spirited hands of director and choreographer Ray Ficca, the dragons jam to ’70s music, scuttle around the stage with beach balls, and prepare to feast on their favorite snack — tacos, bucketloads, even a boatload full! The boy (and Leroy) believe they have carefully heeded instructions to keep spicy ingredients out of the delish party snack for the fire-breathing dragons to avoid disastrous results. But of course, this being theater based on a book with suspenseful page-turning consequences — well, the results are inevitable. The Adventure Theatre design teams pull out the stops to show the massive fire-breathing impact of even fun-loving creatures and how new friends can work together to make it right, down to the boy successfully completing his homework assignment.
Dragons Love Tacos fans will relish this show filled with imagination and quirky nuances. And there are obviously plenty of them in the metro area to pack the run. The rest of us will appreciate the dino-antics, thanks to the excitement lovingly packed into each tantalizing moment. Seats are going fast, so grab tickets quickly, along with maybe a taco or two, for a zestfully good time.
Running Time: 45 minutes with no intermission.
Dragons Love Tacos plays through March 30, 2025 (Wednesday to Sunday at 11 am, Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm), at Adventure Theatre MTC (ATMTC), 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD. Tickets ($25, with group and field trip rates available) are available online or by calling the box office at 301-634-2270.
Strobe lighting effects are used in this production.
COVID Safety: Masks are currently optional for Adventure Theatre for most performances.
Dragons Love Tacos
Written by Ernie Nolan
Based on the book by Adam Rubin and illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
Music by Chris LaPorte
Directed by Ray Ficca
CAST
Boy: Jimmy Bartlebaugh
Man in Suit: Jackson Saunders
Mom/Dragon: Brigid Wallace Harper
Leroy: Jordan Essex
Dragon: Ariel Friendly
Dragon: Caroline Graham
Dragon: Bryan Stopak
Swing: Tobi Baisburd
Swing: Joshua Poole
CREATIVE TEAM
Director & Choreographer: Ray Ficca
Set Designer: Megan Holden
Lighting Designer: Lynn Justin
Sound Designer: Brandon Cook
Properties Designer: Andrea “Dre” Moore
Costume Designer: Bailey Hammett-Colwell
Projections Designer: Hailey LaRoe
Stage Manager: Shannon Saulnier
Assistant Stage Manager: Lorna Ryan
SEE ALSO:
Adventure Theatre brings ‘Dragons Love Tacos’ from page to stage (news story, January 12, 2025)
