As each day unfolds, it follows a poetic rhythm, beginning with the bustle of the morning and ending with the tranquility of nighttime. There are often unexpected moments in between, and these memories paint a picture of everyday life. Good Morning, Good Night, a new play commissioned by and now playing at Imagination Stage, takes audiences on a wondrous journey through this cadence. The play is part of the organization’s “Theatre for the Very Young” initiative, and this show is the ideal introduction to theater for the youngest patrons. Written by Doug Robinson and directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer, the story follows Winnie and August, two friends who work the “day shift” and “night shift” to create the magical events of each shift. With help from the audience, the pair wakes the birds, sprays dew in the grass, and turns nighttime sounds into melodies.
Deimoni Brewington (August) and Kathryn Zoerb (Winnie) deliver thoroughly captivating performances. Both are especially engaging during the interactive segments, guiding children’s participation with confidence and warmth. Brewington and Zoerb also showcase their musical abilities, contributing vocals and instrumentation throughout several sequences. Brewington displays sharp comedic timing as he frantically rushes into his workday, highlighted by his expressive pantomime. Zoerb brings endearing gentility to Winnie, particularly in a scene teaching birds to sing. She also embraces physical comedy in a playful chase from her own shadow, much to the room’s delight. Together, this duo demonstrates polished collaboration and timing.
Lighting designer William K. D’Eugenio illuminates the stage to match each setting, using vivid lights for daytime and more muted hues for nighttime. His gorgeous designs displaying fireflies and stars added luminous visuals to the evening scenes. Sarah Beth Hall’s whimsical set featured subdued watercolors, flanked by a wooden frame embellished with stones, numbers, and patterns. Bailey Hammett’s colorful costume design outfits Winnie and August in vibrant workwear, with vests adorably emblazoned with their names. Mike Winch’s crisp sound design depicted melodious birds, bellowing thunder, and pattering raindrops, adding an artistic soundtrack to the tale. Importantly, his perfectly balanced mix allows the background music to be heard while never drowning out the actors’ voices. Resident props and puppet designer Andrea “Dre” Moore created charming bird puppets featuring a crowing rooster and a hooting owl (complete with glowing yellow eyes!).
Imagination Stage is renowned for its immersive, welcoming, and highly educational environment, and Good Morning, Good Night delivers on each of these aspects. Children who attend are encouraged to sit onstage, which immerses them directly in the story. When entering the theater, each child is handed a bag of props to use in interacting with the performers, creating a multisensory fantasy. Through these interactions, the children are exposed to exercises in color recognition, hand-eye coordination, and movement, making the journey both fun and educational on all levels. The adults accompanying the children were just as enthralled, and their heartfelt reactions were a testament to the fact that imagination does span generations.
Walt Disney once said, “Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever.” Imagination Stage embodies every part of this quote through their mission, and Good Morning, Good Night is a superb example of their commitment to fostering creativity through the arts. The show is sure to fascinate the young and young at heart, and this presentation beautifully personifies the idea that imagination lives in all of us. In its gentle storytelling and thoughtful design, the production reminds theatergoers that even the smallest moments, whether in the morning or at night, hold the power to inspire wonder, connection, and a renewed appreciation for the rhythms of everyday life.
Running Time: Approximately 45–50 minutes with no intermission.
Good Morning, Good Night plays weekend matinees through April 19, 2026, at Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave, Bethesda, MD. Tickets (starting at $25) can be purchased online, in person at Imagination Stage’s box office, or by calling the box office at 301-280-1660.
Best for ages 1-4
Good Morning, Good Night
Written by Doug Robinson
Directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer
