"Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience," which is being produced by 鶹ýRep and 鶹ý Opera, opens a nine-show run at Goode Theatre on Thursday.
Mo Willems, who has written three children's books that have earned Caldedott Honors, wrote the script and lyrics for the production. Debra Wicks La Puma composed the music. 鶹ý's Katherine Hammond directs the production with Brian Nedvin providing the musical direction for the story that features an anti-bullying theme: Be yourself and embrace our differences.
Wilbur is different from the other naked mole rats in the Tunnel because he wears clothes. When his shocking secret gets out, all the other naked mole rats gradually learn that variety really is the spice of life.
"While at first glance this musical may seem like a 'coming out' story, this is, in fact, a 'letting in' story," Willems said. "Our star, Wilbur, does not 'grow' so much as the society around him does ... (The others') greatest fears, that their places in the colony are threatened by clothing, turn out to be unfounded."
"Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14-16 and 20-23, with 2 p.m. matinees on Nov. 16 and 24.
Tickets are available at , or by calling the box office at (757) 683-5305. Box office hours are Tuesdays-Fridays, 11 a.m.-3 pm at the University Theatre, and one hour before each show inside the Goode Theatre.
