Beatrice Likes the Dark, written by Dani Stoller and directed by Patrick Flynn, shares how the titular character (Irene Hamilton) and her sister Roo (Cheslea Majors) learn to appreciate each other’s differences and discover that darkness can be beautiful rather than frightening. Based on April Genevieve Tucholke‘s book, the journey is narrated by Buttons (Jordan Brown) and Raven (Hannah Taylor), their household pets and on-stage companions.
Each of these core cast members is wonderfully warm and brings a softness that draws audiences young and old into the show. Tobi Baisburd and Jordan Essex round out the cast as Woman 2 and Man 2, with Baisburd offering a bit of comic relief as she helps cast the spells that power this story.
Flynn’s direction takes the audience on an ethereal journey through the dark, delightfully lit by Lynn Joslin, with glowing lights throughout. These lighting choices are a defining characteristic of this show (particularly as Beatrice’s little sister Roo enjoys the bright sunny days), and are complemented by mystical sounds (by DC-area sound design veteran Kenny Neal), including Debussy and Beethoven, to create notes of suspense and resolution. It’s an environment brought together by what happens on stage, including a special potion — sweet images of cookies, the moon, and more (as projected on screen by Hailey LaRoe) — which allows the sisters to overcome their fears and learn from each other.
The story is powered by an array of mystical props; Adventure’s resident props designer, Andrea “Dre” Moore, featured more than 50 props, including an illuminated spell book whose pages fly open, and a spell cart with a bright neon potion that casts an incandescent glow on Adventure’s stage.
While a children’s play, Stoller’s adaptation strikes a balance in its appeal; moments are written for the youngest of kids to understand, with language akin to Goodnight Moon. There are references to being a pescatarian, manchego cheese, and mahjong for the parents among us, which seem a bit out of place. Perhaps the strongest writing is a monologue Stoller gives Beatrice, midway through, where she speaks of how “people are afraid of the dark, because they haven’t allowed themselves to experience it.” All told, Stoller’s adaptation of this beloved story works well.
The show is, like the best of shows at Adventure, a sweet afternoon at one of the region’s best stages for kids. My heady 9-year-old, a frequent theatergoer, certainly understood the play; she said the story was about “sisters relating to their differences.” Yet she felt the show overall was neither amazing nor terrible, but “in the middle”; she wished the scene transitions were a little more hidden. My only wish, perhaps, is that if Beatrice ever gets a second production, Stoller considers how to incorporate a bit more audience engagement, a staple of many children’s productions.
But I suspect that for the kindergarteners among us, Beatrice Likes the Dark will be a perfectly magical experience.
Running Time: 45 minutes, with no intermission.
Beatrice Likes the Dark plays weekend and weekday matinees through November 1, 2026, at Adventure Theatre MTC, Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Boulevard, Glen Echo, MD. Tickets ($27 each, with group, field trip, and special party rates available) can be purchased online or by calling the box office at 301-634-2270.
Recommended for ages 5 and up.
Beatrice Likes the Dark
Written by Dani Stoller
Based on the book by April Genevieve Tucholke
Directed by Patrick Flynn
SEE ALSO:
Dani Stoller wrote ‘Beatrice Likes the Dark’ for ‘the little weirdos’ (interview by Julia Tucker, October 1, 2026)
