Greensburg Civic Theatre's 'Pinkalicious' has laughs, lessons for all ages

“Pinkalicious” is about a girl who ignores her parents’ warnings and turns pink after eating too many cupcakes.

Obviously, there’s a lesson in there for children — but adults also can learn a thing or two from the story.

Greensburg Civic Theatre’s Greasepaint Players will present a musical based on the popular children’s book series at 7 p.m. Friday and 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday at Greensburg Garden & Civic Center, 951 Old Salem Road.

“There are a lot of great lessons to be learned there, both for the adults and the kids,” said director Becky Ziegler Koch of Greensburg. “It’s a take on a typical family, but emphasizes things that we sometimes look past.”

The “Pinkalicious”children’s book series is written and illustrated by Victoria Kann, in collaboration with her sister, Elizabeth Kann. Pinkalicious Pinkerton is an imaginative young girl who loves the color pink.

In the musical, Pinkalicious overindulges in pink cupcakes and lands in the doctor’s office with a case of pinkititis, having turned pink from head to toe. Then, she has to figure out how to get out of her predicament.

“What I like about the musical that isn’t in the books is how it develops the characters of the brother and the parents,” Ziegler Koch said.

The mother is on an endless — and unappreciated — cycle of cleaning up after everyone.

“It gets to a point in the show where the dad says, ‘Why don’t we do anything fun?’ And she says, ‘In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been a little busy,’ ” Ziegler Koch said. “I think it’s a common thing — a lot of moms feel overworked and overlooked.”

The brother, Peter, also loves pink, but his father tries to convince him that the color is only for girls.

“The dad finally ends up telling that, when he was little, he had pinkititis, too. He’s the only other documented case ever because he liked pink so much,” Ziegler Koch said. “He ended up turning pink, and it was very embarrassing for him as a boy.

“Everybody at school made fun of him. That’s why he tries to convince his son not to like the color pink,” she said.

The ‘pink blues’

Peter sings a song about having the “pink blues.”

“In the end, the dad comes clean and says, ‘You know what, I love pink.’ And the mom says, ‘I love pink, too,’ ” Ziegler Koch said. “And the whole family comes together. They all love pink, and it’s OK.

“It’s OK to be who you are.”

The lead character is played by Peyton Rega, 13, of Washington Township, whom Ziegler Koch has directed in other productions. Peyton’s pinkititis is portrayed through costuming, a wig and lighting effects.

“She’s a very mature girl, and I thought about that when we were casting,” Ziegler Koch said. “I hoped she could put a lot of immaturity into the role because the character is very immature and throws a lot of temper tantrums.

“Each rehearsal, I kept telling her, ‘Give me a little bit more, more energy, more energy.’ Now she is completely nailing it,” she said. “She has become Pinkalicious, and it’s the most fun thing to watch. But as soon as she comes off the stage, she’s just normal, calm, even-keeled Peyton.”

While Peyton has had other lead roles, Ziegler Koch said, this one “is definitely her biggest by far. She’s pretty much the whole show. I don’t think she ever leaves the stage.”

Mr. Pinkerton is played by Jake Grantz, Mrs. Pinkerton by Mallory Mousseau Grantz and Peter by Anike Prinkey.

Young Pinkalicious fans will be able to talk and have photos taken with Peyton after the performances.

“Kids of elementary age will probably recognize the book, and older ones will probably remember it, but it’s definitely whole-family entertainment,” Ziegler Koch said. “It’s very funny and the whole family will laugh a ton.”

Tickets are $17 at the door or $15 in advance at 724-836-8000 or thepalacetheatre.org.