My six-year-old daughter has a small red birthmark just above her lip. School photographers try to Photoshop this dot. People motion to her, thinking that she has a dab of ketchup on her face. It’s been a source of annoyance for my kid. However, after we watched Freckleface Strawberry: The Musical at Adventure Theatre, my child said, “Mom! It’s like my dot. It makes me special … like her freckles!” That reaction from my kid is the number one reason why I effusively recommend this show (plus, the strong performances, fun songs, and joyful production certainly don’t hurt).
Freckleface Strawberry: The Musical is based on the children’s books by Julianne Moore, which were recently (and bafflingly) banned in schools run by the U.S. Department of Defense despite their positive and affirming message.
Strawberry is a 7-year-old whose friends mock her for having bright red hair and freckles. As she grows increasingly self-conscious about her looks, we also get a glimpse into some of her friends’ insecurities. A ballerina worries she isn’t good enough, a young boy wants to be as good at basketball as one of his friends — each kid envies a quality that another has.
Strawberry is especially singled out, so she decides to don a mask to school to cover her freckles. And as you might expect, she learns some valuable lessons about loving yourself and being unapologetic about who you are. All of this is done through a series of delightfully upbeat songs that got kids in the audience tapping their toes and moving to the beat.
Lily Burka as Strawberry is stellar. Strawberry is in nearly every scene, and Burka was always fun to watch. She connected to the kids in the audience while also showcasing her strong acting, singing, and dancing. Burka was complemented by an outstanding ensemble. Julia Klavans (Ballet Girl), Julia Link (Jane/Mom), Chelsea Majors (Emily), James Mernin (Harry), Kaylen Morgan (Danny), and Dylan Toms (Jake) delivered showstopping full-cast moments with high energy, stunning vocals, and jubilant dancing. All were fabulous, but Toms’ strong vocals were a particular standout, especially on “Be Yourself.”
Director Shanara Gabrielle, along with choreographer Jennifer Hopkins, delivered well-crafted storytelling moments that resonated with children and adults in the audience. Of note was an ensemble number on sit-and-hop bouncy balls (“Freckle Mafia Song”), a basketball ballet à la High School Musical (“Basketball”), and the high-energy “I Can Be Anything,” which allowed each ensemble member to embody a facet of Strawberry’s imagination.
The show drags in only a few small moments: when Strawberry contemplates donning her mask while in her bedroom and when nearly every member of the ensemble reads a poem during a classroom scene. However, with the show’s short length (right around 60 minutes), even those moments passed relatively quickly. For the most part, the energy and pace are spot on to maintain the attention of young children.
Each of the design elements complemented the production. Paris Francesca’s costume design was integral to the suspension of disbelief required to believe adults playing 7-year-olds. The costumes also aided the fantasy moments, like the spot-on polka-dotted suits worn by the Freckle Mafiosos. Megan Holden’s colorful and vibrant set gave the actors ample space to play. The set did lack a bit of specificity to the show, which could have helped to connect us more to the world of the books. Despite that, both Holden and props designer Dre Moore did an exceptional job of balancing function with fun in their designs.
Lynn Joslin’s lighting kept the show feeling lively and exuberant. A particular lighting standout was in “Hey It’s Me,” as Strawberry runs back and forth across the stage, with the light quickly disappearing in each moment she tries to be seen. I love to see design so effectively support storytelling.
As a parent and relative newbie to the area (since 2022), I have frequented venues like Imagination Stage, Puppet Co., and The Clarice for shows with my child. After my first experience with Adventure Theatre, I plan to return to this venue frequently for future family outings. With outstanding performers, charming design, high production quality, and a positive message easily understood by youngsters, Freckleface Strawberry is a perfectly ripe pick for the entire family.
Running Time: Approximately 60 minutes, no intermission.
Freckleface Strawberry: The Musical plays through March 29, 2026, at Adventure Theatre MTC (ATMTC), 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD. Tickets are $28 with group, field trip, and special party rates available. Purchase tickets online or call the box office at 301-634-2270.
Freckleface Strawberry: The Musical
Music and Lyrics by Gary Kupper
Book by Garry Kupper & Rose Caiola
Based on the Books Written by Julianne Moore and Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Conceived for the Stage by Rose Caiola
Directed by Shanara Gabrielle
